Billionaire Li Qiang on gang crime trial in Chongqing

• Source: Global Times
• [15:55 October 26 2009]
• Comments

Li Qiang (C) is escorted to Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court in Chongqing, China, Oct. 26, 2009. Thirty-one people stood on trial Monday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on charges of crimes in connection to "mafia-style" organizations run by billionaire Li Qiang, who was among the accused. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Li Qiang, a wealthy businessman and former deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress was among 31 people who stood on trial on charges of gang-related crimes Monday in Chongqing Municipality, the southwest of China. The trial is expected to last five days at the Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court.

There are reports that Li was the leader of the gang, and faced nine charges, including organizing and leading mafia-style gangs, disrupting public transportation, disturbing social order, concealing account books, bribery and tax evasion.

Li owned four companies which were related to public transportation and real estate, and controlled more than 100 bus routes in Chongqing. The four companies were also charged with illegal operation and tax evasion. 

Twenty other defendants who were said to be gang members were accused of participating in mafia-style organizations, disrupting public transportation and murder.

Another seven were charged with concealing account books, disrupting public transportation, disturbing public order and illegal operation. 

Three civil servants were among the defendants accused of being accomplices for Li's gang-related crimes and taking bribes.

The officials were Xiao Qinglong, director of Communication and Transportation Administration of Shapingba District of Chongqing, Jiang Hong, director of the Road Transport Administration of Banan District of Chongqing, and Jiang Chunyan, director of a complaints office under the Chongqing municipal government.