(Ecns.cn)—The long awaited and widely watched gangster trial of Nie Lei in Qingdao has wrapped up with a conviction for the accused, it was announced on Tuesday, Qingdao News Online reports.
The verdict reached by Qingdao Intermediate People's Court regarding Nie's case, was followed by deprivation of political rights for the 44 year old, and a death sentence. Along with Nie, 31 other gang members were also convicted, receiving prison sentences ranging from 2 to 20 years.
The gang was claimed to be Qingdao's biggest criminal organization, in operation since 1949, revealed the China Daily last February.
It is reported that 16 police officers who had been offering protection to Nie's illegal activities were also arrested.
According to the prosecutors' indictments, Nie Lei and some of his subordinates have been part of an organized crime gang since 1995.
The gang registered several illegal real estate companies, and were also cashing in on gambling and prostitution rackets. They were responsible for the deaths of at least two people, and injured over 20 others.
Over the past 15 years, Nie and other members reaped undeserved profits of over 20 million yuan ($3.2 million) through prostitution and underground casinos.
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