Gang leader executed in E China

QINGDAO - A gang leader was executed Tuesday for violent crimes in the eastern port city of Qingdao, the Qingdao Municipal Intermediate People's Court said.

Nie Lei was convicted on several counts, including intentionally injuring others and running a mafia-style gang. Nie and other principal members of the gang had been involved in illegal gang activities in Qingdao since 1995, including operating casinos, organizing prostitution rings and illegal possession of guns, the court said.

Their violent crimes led to the death of two people and injury of 22 others.

In May 2012, Nie was sentenced to death by the Qingdao Municipal Intermediate People's Court.

In August 2012, The Shandong Provincial Higher People's Court upheld the death sentence verdict after Nie appealed.