Former Chinese businessman Liu Han to fight death sentence • The...

Former Chinese businessman Liu Han to fight death sentence
• The Australian
• June 05, 2014 6:57PM
•
Scott Murdoch

China Correspondent
Beijing

Liu Han intends to fight his death sentence. Source: AFP
FORMER Chinese mining boss and Australian investor, Liu Han, will formally appeal the death sentence has was given for murder and running a high profile crime ring in China over the past three decades.

It was reported today the former Hanlong Group executive chairman will argue against the verdict at an appear hearing due to be held in the next few weeks.

Liu was found guilty of nine counts of murder, corruption and money laundering during the time he built his business empire in the Sichuan region, in China’s south.

Liu ordered the execution of his business rivals, often in public places such as tea houses, to reinforce his power and help Hanlong maintain its dominance as a mining company.
Hanlong remains the largest shareholder of Australian-listed miners Moly Group and Sundance Resources after it launched an ambitious overseas expansion plan that focused on Australia and Africa.

A $1.3 billion bid for Sundance collapsed last year after the Chinese group could not secure finance.

Liu stood trial last month along with 35 other defendants who were part of his crime ring, accused of gangland activities.

The court ruled all of them guilty and sentenced five to death, including a younger brother of Liu named Liu Wei. Nine others received suspended death sentences, meaning the sentence could be commuted to life in prison. Others received jail sentences ranging between three to 20 years.
During the trial, Liu burst into tears several times and claimed he was ‘framed’ by business rivals jealous of his success.