29 suspected gang members go on trial in Guangdong

Twenty-nine suspected members of a mafia-style gang went on trial in the city of Qingyuan, Guangdong province, on Wednesday in a hearing expected to last 15 days.

Zhou Youde, the alleged ringleader, suspected key members Su Jianping and Su Jianhua, and other gang members have been charged with illegally organizing a secret society and criminal gang.

They also face charges of drug trafficking, running secret casinos, monopolizing local markets, provoking disputes, organizing gang fights, illegally owning weapons, robbery, harboring criminals, extortion, sabotaging production and business operations, destroying evidence, intimidation, illegal mining, fraud and bribing Party and government officials.

An investigation implicated the gang in two deaths, one serious injury and seven lesser injuries in gang fights. It also led to the suspects being accused of earning dozens of millions of yuan from illegally running secret casinos, illegal mining and monopolizing markets.

The open trial at Qingyuan Intermediate People's Court attracted family members of the defendants as well as many residents and reporters.