Official abducted, found dead in central China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-02 14:19

ZHENGZHOU: An official in charge of construction in central China's Henan Province was found dead Wednesday, a day after he was abducted, police confirmed Thursday.

The official, surnamed Su, was kidnapped by two men Tuesday night from his residence compound near the Biyang County Construction Bureau, a county Public Security Bureau spokesman said.

Su, head of the county's construction bureau, was seen being crammed into a silver grey van, the spokesman said quoting a witness who declined to be named.

The suspects contacted Su's family Wednesday morning, demanding 500,000 yuan (US$71,430) for his release, he said.

Police seized Lu Jibing, one of the suspects, at 5:50 pm Tuesday.

Lu told police that Su was held in an abandoned house in a remote corner of Yingqiao Town in Xiangcheng County, in the neighboring Xuchang City.

Su was found dead when police arrived there Wednesday night.

The spokesman said the cause of his death was still unknown.

Police were conducting an autopsy while hunting for the other suspect, Qu Gang.