Supreme People's Court upholds death penalty for criminal syndicate leader

The Supreme People's Court recently approved a ruling passed by the Guangdong High People's Court that sentenced a criminal syndicate organizer surnamed Zhou to the death penalty.

Zhou was also deprived of political rights for life and had all his personal property confiscated as supplementary punishments, according to the ruling published by the Supreme People's Court recently.

Zhou was convicted of multiple crimes: organizing and leading a gangland-style organization, sexual assault against a minor, picking quarrels and provoking trouble, theft, affray, forcible indecency, organizing minors to engage in activities that violated public security, extortion by blackmail, and intentional injury.

According to the ruling, Zhou, in conspiracy with others, sexually assaulted 10 underage females on 13 occasions, among whom five were little girls. He also participated in several instances of gang-rape involving four victims.

The ruling found Zhou's criminal behavior to be despicable and consequential. His guilt was extremely serious, meriting a harsh punishment in accordance with the law.

The facts found in the second-instance ruling are clear, the evidence is authentic and sufficient, the conviction is accurate, and the sentencing is appropriate, said the ruling. It also found that the trial procedure was in compliance with the law.