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Arsonist in east China executed

Xinhua, September 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

An arsonist who set a fire that killed a farmer and injured three others after a dispute over land was executed on Friday, a local court said.

Wang Yuefu, the main defendant in the arson attack, was executed by the Qingdao Intermediate People's Court after the Shandong Provincial Higher People's Court dismissed his appeal in February, upholding the initial verdict in March last year, which sentenced Wang to death for arson and provocation.

Two other defendants, including Du Qunshan, head of Dujiatuan Village, Pingdu City, received life sentences.

The appeals for leniency of another four defendants, who received prison terms ranging from six to 19 years, were also rejected.

According to the Qingdao Intermediate People's Court, a tent being used by villagers trying to stop their land being seized by developers in Dujiatuan went up in flames on March 21, 2014.

Du and Wang attempted to force villagers to leave by setting fire to the tent. Ordered by Wang, three of the defendants, all wielding knives, poured gasoline over the tent and set it on fire.

The case attracted significant public attention in China and renewed people's concerns over land disputes. Endi