Chinese businessman, Liu Han, has entered a not-guilty plea on multiple criminal charges leveled against him in connection with his alleged involvement as leader of a mafia-style crime syndicate.

Liu, former chairman of the mining giant, Hanlong Group, appeared before a Hubei court and tearfully denied that he ordered the killing of nine people, most of whom were his business rivals.

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State prosecutors claim that when Liu Han established the Hanlong Group in 1997, he and his younger brother, Liu Wei, allegedly hired goons, and formed an organized crime ring that operated along with the business activities of Hanlong.

The mafia-style crime group allegedly killed Liu's business rivals to ensure Hanlong's control of the mining industry in Sichuan province.

Liu Han told the court that the charges against him are all untrue, and there is no proof that he committed them, according to state media.  No further details were revealed about Liu Han's not-guilty plea.

In contrast, Liu Han's younger brother, Liu Wei, pleaded guilty to the crimes on Wednesday.

The younger Liu thanked the court for granting him his rights and said he will accept whatever penalty is meted for his crimes.

The trial of the Liu brothers' celebrated case has been going on for weeks, and the court announced that they have entered the debate phase and expect to issue a judgment soon.

The charges they are facing are punishable by death or life sentence.

Liu Han, Liu Wei and 34 other defendants are all being simultaneously prosecuted on interconnected cases of organizing a gang, murder, blackmail, illegal detention, intentional assault, defrauding banks, and illegal possession of firearms.