Chinese mining tycoon sentenced to death

It was the largest criminal group to go on trial in China in recent years.

Besides the brothers, three members were also sentenced to death, five were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, four to life imprisonment and 22 to imprisonment for different terms.

Three former civil servants among the accused -- Liu Xuejun and Lyu Bin, former police officers, and Liu Zhongwei, a former prosecutor -- were sentenced to 16 years, 11 years and 13 years in prison respectively for harbouring Liu's organisation and taking bribes.

The organisation led by the two brothers and assisted by government officials, illegally monopolised the gaming business in Guanghan City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, and tyrannised local people, the court said.