A former Communist party local legislator turned notorious gangland kingpin was executed immediately after the Supreme People's Court overturned an earlier ruling and handed down the death penalty.
It was the first time since the 1980s trial of the Gang of Four that a criminal case had gone before the court.
Liu Yong was sentenced to death in April 2002 for murder and running mafia-style operations, but at an appeal in August 2003 the top court in Liaoning province suspended his execution.
The appeal ruling drew fire from legal experts and the public, prompting the Supreme Court to step in, state media said.
You must log in to post a comment.