A Chinese court sentenced Liu Han to death on Friday for a string of murders that he and his mafia-style crime ring committed as they sought to protect their business interests.

The former mining magnate and his brother Liu Wei were found guilty of "organising and leading mafia-style crime and murder", and were both meted the capital punishment along with three other accomplices.

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The court ruled that the Liu brothers and their gang were responsible for killing eight people and wounding many others in Sichuan province where the mafia-style group held sway for nearly two decades. 

Liu was arrested in March and the trial on the celebrated mafia-style case ended on April 19.

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

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

Liu, who was once listed by Forbes as one of the world's richest men, had appeared before a Hubei court in mid-April to tearfully deny the charges and enter a Not Guilty plea.

His younger brother, Liu Wei, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to the crimes.

Han is believed to have ties to former security chief Zhou Yongkang who is now at the center of a corruption investigation.

However, in recent months several top leaders in Sichuan province have come under investigation and all have had ties in one way or another to Yongkang.

According to state media, the Liu brothers may also have connections which include central government officials who reportedly helped shelter the gang and assisted in preventing their detainment.

TagsLiu brothers, Mafia