Wednesday, August 29, 2001, updated at 08:45(GMT+8)
Life
22 People Accused of Organizing Mafia-Like Crimes
Twenty-two people, accused of organizing, leading and joining mafia-like crime gangs, were brought to trial Tuesday in Tieling City, in northeast China's Liaoning Province.
The Intermediate People's Court of Tieling opened a court session, and more than 500 people from all walks of life attended the trial.
The 22 defendants were charged with crimes involving intentional injury, robbery, contraband goods, tax fraud, blackmail, illegal possessing of guns and ammunition, and bribery.
Twenty-two people, accused of organizing, leading and joining mafia-like crime gangs, were brought to trial Tuesday in Tieling City, in northeast China's Liaoning Province.