Police yesterday finished their investigation of four Rio Tinto Group executives, including Australian Stern Hu, and sent the case to the local prosecutors.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told China Daily in an e-mailed statement that Beijing had informed Australia's Consulate-General in Shanghai that the investigation phase of the case had concluded.

Xinhua also reported last night that Chinese police had finished a five-month investigation into the case, and four suspects, including Hu, were handed over to prosecutors yesterday. Local officials said a press briefing will be held next week regarding the case.