Executed man's parents targeted in quest for justice

The parents who received State compensation of 2.05 million yuan ($330,000) for the wrongful execution of their son are being approached by people seeking justice for next of kin who have been wrongfully convicted.

"The stories they tell vividly remind me of what I went through, and I try to be a good listener," said Shang Aiyun, the mother of Hugjiltu, who was sentenced to death for rape and murder in Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in 1996.

"We have had visitors from across the country each day since the retrial of my son's case began in November. I feel truly sorry for them because I went through a similar experience for 10 years.

"I cannot help much, but I tell them how I petitioned authorities and also give them journalists' phone numbers. I have filed a complaint to local prosecutors and I believe the relevant government officials should bear the consequences for the wrongful verdict and execution of my son," Shang said.

Hugjiltu, 18, was executed 62 days after being charged, despite doubts about the evidence against him.

Nine years after the execution, Zhao Zhihong, who had been arrested on suspicion of carrying out a series of rapes and killings, confessed to the murder for which Hugjiltu was executed.

A month ago, Hugjiltu's conviction was overturned and his family was awarded State compensation.

Shang said, "My complaint is aimed at correcting the wrongdoings of judicial officials and to warn officials of the consequences of their misconduct."

She added that she hopes her efforts can reduce the number of cases in which wrong decisions are made.

In December, a working group was set up in Inner Mongolia and has begun to investigate government officials responsible for the wrong decision in Hugjiltu's case.

Feng Zhiming, deputy chief of the Public Security Bureau in Hohhot, the leading figure in an investigation that deemed Hugjiltu responsible for the rape and murder of a woman in 1996, has been placed under investigation by the procuratorate in Inner Mongolia.

Prosecutors from the working group visited Hugjiltu's parents in January and promised them they would carry out an in-depth investigation. Those found responsible for the wrong verdict will be punished, the prosecutors said.

Shang said she will continue her efforts to bring to justice officials who acted wrongfully in her son's case.

"I hope that government departments learn from my son's case and prevent such tragedies from happening again," she added.