Two policemen went on trial Tuesday for their involvement in a fight that led to the death of a 22-year-old university graduate in October last year, according to sources with the Harbin Intermediate People's Court, in northeast Heilongjiang Province.
The two policemen, Qi Xin and Liu Linan, along with Yang Sen, a classmate of the dead student, Lin Songling, were charged with intentional injury, said court sources.
The Harbin procuratorate allege that Qi Xin and Liu Linan intentionally injured Lin Songling, causing his death, and that Yang Sen intentionally injured two other people, causing slight injuries.
About 500 people were at the court to watch the proceedings, said a court official.
Six police had been involved in the fight, but no evidence has been found that the other four -- Wang Jingang, Li Xinyu, Luan Ao, and Li Feng -- had committed a crime, said Lu Hongxi, deputy head of Harbin public security bureau. However, they were still on bail and their movements were restricted.
Lin Songling and his friends, including Yang Sen, were involved in a quarrel with the police in front of a nightclub at around 10 p.m. on Oct. 11 in Harbin, after accusing policeman Li Xinyu of driving dangerously fast, police have claimed.
The quarrel developed into a fierce fight, leaving Lin dead at the scene and several others from both sides injured.
The policemen, aged from 28 to 31, drove two cars to the bar after a private get-together. They were schoolmates and colleagues.
All six police were arrested within 12 hours of the death.
Hu Fengbin, attorney of Lin Songling's family, told Xinhua that according to the country's Criminal Law, the sentence for anyone who intentionally injures another causing death can range from 10 years in jail to the death penalty.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2009)