2010-03-26 02:42

SHENZHEN: Two abductors were executed in south China's Shenzhen City Thursday, as one more was sentenced to death for kidnapping and killing, with four others jailed, a local court said.

The Intermediate People's Court of Shenzhen said the death penalties on the two abduction-for-ransom convicts, Xu Qingxi and Xu Qifang, were approved by the Supreme People's Court.

Xu Qingxi abducted a 13-year-old boy in May 2008, who choked to death ?when Xu tried to silence him by gripping his throat. The abductor was seized after he telephoned the boy's father for 1 million yuan ($147,000) of ransom.

Xu Qifang kidnapped a 6-year-old girl in March 2006. He hid the girl under a bed, with her mouth sealed, but found her dead after he called up her mother, blackmailing 30,000 yuan.

The court also announced death penalty on Kong Jinlin, who abducted the son of a friend for money to repay debt in November 2009. The crying boy was stifled to death.

An accomplice of Kong was jailed for life and another was sentenced to three years in prison.

In another case in November 2009, Du Mingjun, Shi Huabing and Zhang Zhizhong kidnapped a 14-year-old student and demanded 1 million yuan for ransom. The boy was rescued by police.

The court sentenced Du to life imprisonment, while Shi and Zhang were sentenced to 15 years in jail.

The booming town of Shenzhen launched a campaign in December 2009 to crack down upon kidnapping and other serious crimes following a string of ?abductions of school children.