Trial begins for 34 people suspected of organized crime

A trial for 34 suspects including some government employees charged with gun-related triad crimes and intentional homicide began on Tuesday in Baiying city, Gansu province, Lanzhou Morning Post reported.

The court hearing will last until Thursday.

According to Baiyin city people's prosecuting department, the criminal gang included some civil servants from local civil affairs and postal sectors, and the gang members were charged with nine crimes, including organizing and leading organized crimes, intentional homicide and illegally possessing guns.

According to prosecutors, since 2008, Wei Jiebang, the main suspect in the gang, plotted with other criminals to commit murder, cause trouble, conduct forced trading and gamble in Jingtai county under Baiyin city.

Meanwhile, Wei’s group organized and engaged in gambling in other cities, including Baiyin, Jingtai, Jingyuan and Pingchuan in Gansu province to seize huge economic profits, according to Baiyin city prosecuting department.

The criminal gang used ill-gotten gains to purchase cars, pay medical expenses of group members and raise money for gambling to support the development of the group and conduct criminal activities, the court said.

The case is the largest since the founding of Baiyin city, and the victims’ family members have requested for 700,000 yuan ($112,600) in compensation.