Death penalty sustained to man in fatal factory brawl
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A court in south China on Wednesday upheld the sentences of death and life imprisonment on two men involved in a toy factory brawl that left two Uygur workers dead on June 26.
The Higher People's Court of Guangdong Province upheld the sentences handed down at the Intermediate People's Court of Shaoguan city on Xiao Jianhua and Xu Qiqi, former workers at the city's Xuri Toy Factory.
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Xiao Jianhua |
Xiao, who was convicted of being the principal instigator of the fatal brawl, had received the death sentence at the lower court for intentional injury. His fellow worker, Xu, also charged with intentional injury, had been sentenced to life in prison.
Both Xiao and Xu were deprived of political rights for life.
Three of Xiao's accomplices had been sentenced to prison terms from seven to eight years on charges of assault.
Two Uygur workers from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region -- Aximujiang Aimaiti and Sadikejiang Kaze -- were beaten to death, and three were severely injured and six slightly injured in the brawl.
The lower court heard the fight started after a Uygur man was found by other workers chasing a Han woman intern surnamed Huang in the factory.
Xiao and his accomplices used iron bars to beat the Uygur workers, and prevented medical workers from treating the injured.
After sentencing, Xiao Jianhua and Xu Qiqi filed appeals. The Higher People's Court, after an open hearing, determined that the behavior of Xiao and Xu had resulted in the death of two people and left other three seriously injured and six slightly injured.
The facts affirmed at the lower court were clear, the evidence was accurate and sufficient, the convictions and sentences were appropriate, and the procedures were legitimate, the Higher People's Court said.
The Higher People's Court of Guangdong will submit its decision on Xiao's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval.
On Oct. 10, the People's Court of Wujiang District, Shaoguan, jailed Lu Xiaoqiang, Yarmemetjia Ismail, Osmanjia Obul and Yuwupjia Tur, also former workers at the toy factory, who were convicted of participating in group affray.
The four appealed and the Intermediate People's Court of Shaoguan Wednesday rejected their appeals and upheld the convictions and sentences.
