Murder convictions of 5 men overturned

Five men who were convicted of murder in Central China almost two decades ago have had their names cleared after a retrial because of unclear facts and insufficient evidence.

Zhou Jikun, Zhou Jiahua, Zhou Zaichun, Zhou Zhengguo and Zhou Zaihua broke down in tears upon receiving the verdict on Wednesday, the Anhui High People's Court, which heard the case, said in a statement.

The five men are not related, but came from a village where everyone has the same family name.