Beijing prosecutors probe 5 cops involved in the case of Lei Yang, who died at the hands of police

Lei Yang (file photo)

The Beijing prosecutors said on Wednesday that they have launched investigation against the five cops who handled the case of Lei Yang, a 29-year-old who mysteriously died after plainclothes police took him away on suspicion of visiting prostitutes on May 7.

The People's Procuratorate of Beijing Municipality said in an statement on Wednesday that based on earlier investigation, including an independent autopsy report, it is legitimate to investigate against the five police officers, one of which surnamed Xing. Lei Yang's family has been informed of the procurators' decision.

Lei’s death sparked public outrage in China. Lei's family had filed a report with Beijing prosecutors over his death.

On May 7, Lei Yang, the father of a newborn baby, left his Beijing home to pick up a relative at the airport. On his way, he was detained by police in front of a foot massage parlor, and then died shortly afterwards.