Appeal over sentencing withdrawn

Ten people, sentenced for illegally detaining four petitioners, withdrew their appeal, Beijing News reported on Tuesday.

The 10, including three minors, from Yuzhou city in Henan province, were given sentences ranging from one to two years for illegal detention, according to a verdict delivered by Chaoyang District People's Court in February. The minors were placed on probation.

In February 2012, Wang Gaowei, the group's leader, rented two yards in the district and hired people to detain petitioners from Henan, the court said.

In May last year, police arrested the defendants at the yards and released the detained people, the court said, adding the longest period of detention lasted six days.

Wang was sentenced to two years, the heaviest punishment, while all the group were ordered to pay compensation to the victims, the court added.

The 10 appealed to the capital's No 2 Intermediate People's Court, but then requested a withdrawal.

The intermediate court agreed with their request and the verdict has been upheld,