Mafia-style gang sentenced in Beijing

BEIJING - A total of 27 people were handed prison terms ranging from months to life sentences for organizing and participating in mafia-style crimes in Beijing, authorities said Friday.

A court in the city said the defendants had carried out illegal activities in Miyun District from 2001 to 2019.

The court said a mafia-style gang was organized to extort locals, provoke trouble and bribe local officials.

According to the court investigation, the gang had embezzled over 460 million yuan (about $69.5 million) of State-owned property.

Gang leader Gao Fuxin was sentenced to life imprisonment, deprived of his political rights for life and stripped of all personal property.

The remaining 26 defendants received prison terms ranging from 18 months to 20 years.