Man sentenced to death over illegal demolition

Xinhua, February 1, 2011

A man was sentenced to death Monday in north China's Shanxi Province over an illegal demolition that killed one and injured another last year.

Gao Haidong was given the death penalty after being convicted of intentional injury and property damage, the Taiyuan City Intermediate People's Court said in a verdict.

Another two principals Wu Ruijun and Li Yanzhong were given death sentence with a two-year reprieve and life imprisonment, respectively, it said.

Wu and Li plotted the forced demolition of two houses owned by Wu Wenyuan and Meng Fugui in Guzhai Village of Jinyuan District in Taiyuan, capital city of Shanxi in the wee hours of Oct. 30, the court found.

The Qixing Security and Property Management Co. Owned by Wu Ruijun ran illegal security and demolition business, it said.

Gao killed villager Meng by hitting twice on his head with a stick and injured Wu Wenyuan during the demolition, it said.

The main principals were also ordered to pay about 68,670 yuan (10,400 U.S. dollars) in medical costs and property damages to Wu.

Family of Meng has not filed a civil lawsuit.

The other 14 offenders in the case were sentenced to jail terms ranging from 16 years to two years and three months and suspended jail terms.