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China Daily / Reuters
Drug lord Naw Kham is taken from a Chinese jail to be executed on Friday.
BEIJING – A notorious gang leader and drug lord from Myanmar was among four foreigners executed in China Friday, marking the first time Beijing has extradited, tried and put to death foreign nationals.
Naw Kham and three accomplices from Thailand and Laos were given a lethal injection in Yunnan’s provincial capital, Kunming, late Friday afternoon.
The four were found guilty last year and sentenced Wednesday for the October 2011 hijacking of two cargo ships and the murder of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River.
But Beijing’s decision to live broadcast the final moments of the men as they waited in their cells followed by their walk to waiting police cars to the execution facility has drawn criticism across China’s websphere.
The four were additionally found guilty of smuggling drugs, kidnapping and hijacking cargo ships in the “Golden Triangle,” a section of territory that overlaps parts of Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos that accounts for much of Asia’s opium and methamphetamines production.
Beijing contends that, while Naw Kham masterminded the hijacking of the two Chinese cargo ships, he also colluded with Thai soldiers who may have been responsible for the slaying of the sailors.
Thai authorities are investigating nine of their soldiers alleged to be involved in the incident.
The capture of Naw Kham – who was at the center of the region's bustling drug trade – was a coup for Chinese police and anti-drug ministries, which reportedly spent a year tracking the infamous smuggler.
The search was unprecedented as it marked the first time that Chinese forces were seen actively searching for foreign national criminal suspects outside of China’s borders.
Task force
The importance Beijing placed on the search was underscored by a report last month by Chinese state media that revealed a task force set up to capture Naw Kham had at one point considered a controversial plan to use an unmanned drone to bomb a suspected hideout of Naw Kham’s gang in northeastern Myanmar.
The scheme was scrapped after the order to capture Naw Kham alive and bring him to trial was reiterated from senior leaders.
Naw Kham’s capture and subsequent trial was given significant coverage in Chinese state media. In the run up to Friday’s execution, long reports detailing the gang’s crimes, celebrating the diligent work of China’s security forces and explaining the method of execution were repeatedly played on Chinese broadcaster CCTV.
CCTV also ran two hours of live coverage leading up to the executions, showing the men’s final moments as they were led from their prison cells to execution facility. Despite rampant rumors and speculation that the state broadcaster was planning on showing the execution live, it ended its live coverage after the men were driven away.
The magnitude of Naw Kham’s capture and execution was never underplayed, with one CCTV reporter noting that officials there were comparing Naw Kham’s case to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.
The comparison carries an undeniable message from the country’s ruling Communist Party to its people: China can and will look out for its nationals both at home and abroad.
But many in China found the live broadcast of the men’s final moments in poor taste and an uncomfortable reminder of show executions from China’s turbulent period during the Cultural Revolution.
“Even though they are deserved to die, these criminals have dignity too,” wrote one user on China’s Twitter-like service, Weibo, “The Cultural Revolution is back.”
“China is a country without humanity,” lamented another.
“CCTV is as cruel as these criminals,” one user bluntly noted.
Mo Shaoping, a prominent criminal lawyer and advisor at the Central University of Finance and Economics Law School, argued that Beijing’s decision to broadcast the prisoners’ final moments was less about striking a nationalist chord and more about showing how the country has improved its handling of the death penalty – a sensitive topic for China’s leadership.
“China has made progress in how it deals with the death penalty,” Mo said. “showing everything live helps people see that prisoners are being treated humanely in their final moments.”
Indeed, much of the commentary on CCTV as cameras rolled on Naw Kham in his cell discussed how he had been given a full doctor’s inspection and that officers in the room had made small chat and offered cigarettes to the kingpin to help him relax.
They also noted that Naw had actually gained weight and looked healthier after months under Chinese supervision.
Mo also noted that the use of lethal injection mean that potential donor organs could not be harvested from the men, addressing another common criticism of China’s previous handling of state executions.
NBC News Le Li contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
They should broadcast all the high profile crimes. The executions should be available for pay per view to pay for boarding and feeding their sorry @ss'es for 20+ years. I would say A+ to China on this one..............
Sentenced Wednesday, Dead on Friday Way TO GO (and we keep these people alive for 20 years not 20+ hours)
This is what happens when you don't pay off the right people.
Feel free to go move to china then.
I just think about the hundreds of "murderers" in the US who were later exonerated after DNA evidence or other critical factors are discovered. Too frequently the criminal justice system is run by over zealous prosecutors with an agenda for political ambition. This conviction/execution within a week, month, or even a year should NEVER be practiced in the US because of the possibility that the conviction was erroneous (see West Memphis 3) - no matter how much money is saved by quick execution. Better to get it right than saving a couple thousand and finding out the wrong person is executed.
I'm starting to like China.
Geaux China Geaux!!!
This would have all the bleeding heart Libs going nutz, too bad our CIC didn't have the balls to do this
They should have just fed 'em some of that tainted dog food they've been sending us. Got to get rid of it somehow...
Sir Kit. I agree with you. With todays DNA and forensic science capabilities we should be CERTAIN when a person is sentenced to death. I wouldn't want an innocent person executed.
BUT, in the instances where it CAN be Scientifically proven without any doubt at all, then YES, I can see quick death sentences. 1 appeal for mercy after 6mos, then the needle. No long waits on death row.
This doesn't apply to all of course. Again, I wouldn't want an innocent person executed. But for those who ARE guilty.
Hell Yeah.
I don't often side with China, but in this case. OHHH YEAH.
China certainly has human rights issues, but in cases like this I have no problem with swift capital punishment. And I see nothing wrong with the telecasts.
China has it right on this one. These type of criminals do not re-habilitate. Set an example for others to follow. Prime example is the "gun violence" that happened last week in Las Vegas. A known felon / ex con shoots an "aspiring rapper" and causes a crash killing two others. How and where did he get the weapon? Why is he not on probation instead of freely roaming about the country?
We often criticize China for human rights violations...but, boy where they right this time.
Now if they would be just as diligent with stopping the illegal ivory trade more of Africa's elephants might survive.
Phil, actually no. They sentenced him back when he had his original trial, plus he's had at least two guaranteed appeals heard under new rules in effect for the last couple of years. This pre-execution "trial" is just a procedural thing where death row convicts are, on or near the date of their scheduled executions, brought in front of the court again, read the trial transcript, permitted them say a few words to plead for mercy or whatever, and, usually, get their sentence reconfirmed the sentence. They're then executed forthwith.
I think they also are supposed to get one last meeting with family and/or clergy after the confirmatory hearing and before the actual lethal injection or firing squad. Whether they do or not, who knows. Or.. in the bad old days, they might be driven through town on display, as they're taken from that hearing to the death house. It's called "trial" but it's really just part of the execution procedure..
"Hell Yeah.
I don't often side with China, but in this case. OHHH YEAH."
Hmmm So how do you know that what the Chinese government is claiming is true? They aren't known for being open and honest you know? Whip up a little media frenzy and it die MF die? That day is coming to America I hope you enjoy it.
You give up your right to be treated with dignity after you murder innocent people. Too bad we don't have such swift justice in the U.S.A. Most times it seems murderers and child molesters have more rights than good, upstanding citizen's. Really screwed-up justice system if you ask me.
With over a billion population. They don't have the luxury of warehousing their criminals. Justice is quick and permanent.
They execute 1000 time as many as we do. Corruption get a death penalty in China. So does Rape. We would have no wall street left.
Imagine.....75% of Mexico's population would be dead!!
The four were found guilty last year and sentenced Wednesday. And now they're dead.
Maybe the US can take a page out of China's book? Or is it our preference that the criminals outlive the victims' families?
"When you kill a king, you don't stab him in the dark. You kill him where the entire court can watch him die."
hey - good riddance... IF the Thai soldiers were involved, they might face execution, too
Hey! this guy, Naw Kham, looks like a character actor in a soapy. He did alot of damage including whacking 14 Chinese Sailors. China doesn't want to put up with it....They could Really Clean House with the mex Drug Gangs......
Naw Kham was an evil nasty worthless sumbeach and he got instant bucken justice Now if we started doing THAT with our cross-border criminals we's soon solve the problem and save billions.
Good for China. About time they took a stand against people like this. As an Asia regional manager for a large electronics firm, I've noticed that most news outlets in the region usually don't report on crimes that have been committed ... they only report on the punishment of criminials that they've caught.
good job China....what they deserved...swift justice...would be nice if the USA would learn something from it.
They should start hanging the Chinese crooks who are sending toxic products to US consumers!
Perhaps the people who bought from those Chinese are the guilty ones - one of the reasons to import is to (be able to) turn a blind eye to to the efficacy of compliance with US regulations.
You can also hang the crooked US politicians who made this insanity possible by selling out to the international capital holders.
Max108: They do didn't they excute a woman a year or so ago for the tainted mike
Maze, I think their prosecutors can apply for the death penalty to be used for people whose decisions led directly to products that kill people in China. I have no idea if they'd bother executing their own people if they made products that killed Americans instead, unfortunately. I think they're like the French. They aren't good about punishing their own people for things they do to others, which, of course, is exactly what the problem is.
November 2009: "China executes two over tainted milk powder scandal"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8375638.stm
Found guilty last year and sentenced Wednesday...killed Friday? I thought you were supposed to wait 20 years, cost the government hundreds of thousands of $$, and get multiple appeals before you were killed. <Standing Ovation China>
They should start hanging the American crooks who are buying toxic products from China and selling it to US consumers for a profit.
The biggest crooks are the US politicians who sold their country to international capital holders by giving China the most privileged nation trade status. What a bunch of TRAITORS!
Nite, WHO forces you to buy those things made in China, or anywhere overseas?
You want your products to be inspected and presumably SAFE by US Inspectors?
BUY US MADE.
While certainly China is at fault for selling those toxic Items, the American consumer is JUST as guilty, for buying them.
Total BS Janine... you and me have basically no choice. The buyers for US stores buy made in China stuff because they have a better profit margin on it. Go to Lowes and see how much choice you as a consumer have. Free trade my a$$...
Max^108. Lame excuse. You may not be able to buy all of your things from the US but there's more than you think. People - stop being cheap asses. Pay a few bucks less for Chinese products? Screw that. Put your money where your mouth is. At the end of the day if you won't spend a few extra bucks where you can to buy US but you have no problem paying hundreds of dollars per month for cellphones, internet, bad TV, Lottery tickets, $8 McDonalds meals, etc. then you deserve what you get.
Thanks You , but i would like to see the bodies to remove all doubt.
Mexico and the USA could learn from this.
IXLR8,
While I like your idea, in the USA it would mean the creation of yet another federal agency to ensure that all those people currently receiving govt. welfare would be able to watch for free!
on their government (or should our money) HDTV and then they could call on our government sponsored cell phones to complain.... Please tell me why we give citizens cell phones and HDTV... DUH!
Could the Chinese extradite the U.S. Congress? The Chinese executing foreigners sounds a bit like Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition and worldwide drone warfare, after all the crimes of Congress cause wide spread suffering. It could be that the Chinese learn very well, watching the quibble quasi of Congress, has proven to give them the advantage, while the American Congress has gagged, bound, tortured, squeezed, extorted what is left of a once thriving economy. The Chinese take that as a sign that it should lead the world, knowing that while all the Americans are using iPhones to inspect their behinds the will continue to believe that it is the navel and that is where to look for lint.
It is a proverb that if you fight the enemy that way he fights you, you will become the enemy.
Turning this around fight your enemy using confusion, the enemy will soon tire and return home to despair and begging destroying themselves.
For those who do not see the problem that the Congress has created, neither will you see the solution.
The Americans standing as they do, and doing the will of that Congress, will not see that rot that spreads out from the core of Congress.
How are we so easily fooled? Perhaps we believe in lies to easily? Perhaps seeing Congress in permanent recess is clue?
I see China is not opting for the Supermax-For-Life approach, like with the Blind Sheikh and the Unabomber.
Anyone not in the slightest concerned that they will do what we do in Mexico, and start sending money and manpower to Laos and Myanmar and extending their influence there? Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, watch your backs.
.... we have forgotten how to treat real criminals here
In China, a 'lethal injection' is given by AK-47 at ten yards. It happens to Chinese all the time, so this is really not new for them.
Wonder if the lethal injection was FMJ or JHP?
Hehe.. when Arizona was short of the lethal injection cocktail a few years ago, there were rumors that they approached the Chinese to try to buy a few doses of their's. Scrapped the idea because of the inevitable bad press.
This will only serve to create even more ruthless criminals. Willing to do whatever it takes not to get caught. Why would a criminal give up?, when it means certain death? They might as well go for broke. If you're gonna die, might as well take as many with you as possible, right? These are already bad people, so this is nothing but an excuse to be extra bad.
Not only that, it makes the state no better than the bad guys, murdering and killing to solve problems and get what you want. That's all anyone learns from capital punishment. Kill kill kill, and make sure you do it first.
WTF so you are saying that someone who kills a yard full of kids is doing so b/c he knows he wont get the death penalty - this has got to be the most sheltered view in the history of man-kind
Think about it. If you are guilty, you resist, and you save all of us the cost of your trial. What's not to like?
I say GOOD, less time in trial.
We have prisons full of ruthless criminals. Murderers on death row for twenty years and are just a risk to guards and a strain on the taxpayers, as if taxpayers needed any more strain. In case you have not noticed, ruthless criminals are running rampant in this country, including dope dealers. Dope is a big contributor to a lot of our problems, including problems with the economy. Dope dealers are murderers because dope kills. Child rapists, dope dealers, killers should get a fair and fast trial, and if they are found guilty, they should be executed within thirty days. Goodby and good ridance.
Two years from capture to execution?
Rather efficient, in my opinion. If the courts are completely certain the party is guilty, get it over with.
1 to 2 years from sentencing to execution is standard in China. The "trial" right before execution is a formality.. not really the real sentencing. Right before a death row convict's execution date, they bring them in front of the court, read the original trial transcript, give the prisoner an opportunity to throw himself onto the mercy of the court, and then, usually, reconfirm the death sentence. From there, the prisoner is shackled and then taken to the place of execution to be killed. In the bad (not so long ago) old days, they might drive the prisoner from the court to the death house on the back of a truck just so others can see the poor bloke and draw whatever lesson they might from it.
We really should consider a similar process for gang members.
China also executes drunk drivers that kill people & I agree with it.
I don't think so.. if it's the case I recollect reading about, the guy they sentenced to death (I don't know if they dispatched him yet) was a student who, having hit and injured somebody while DUI, came back and murdered him, in order to cover up his crime. Unfortunately for him, there was a police surveillance type of the intersection where he left his victim bleeding when he came back and assassinated him. That's not drunk driving. That's first degree murder with extenuating circumstances (concealing another crime).. a capital offense in the US too.
California, thanks much for all your info. It's nice to know more than the papers report.
Well done China!
I'm sure there will be the usual wringing hands group who would have preferred the American Way--twenty years of appeals and howling that he had a lousy childhood and discriminatory treatment so he isn't really guilty. This one, at least, won't be a repeat offender.
The death penalty has no deterrent if you don't show it, if the death penalty is deserved as it was in this case China was right to show a zero tolerance for this kind of behavior...Lethal injection?..they once put a bullit in your head and send the family the bill for the bullit..I fear China is becoming to westernized!
That is doubtful, Larry. There has been so much flak about human rights violations directed at China, that this little process with Khan was just a spoonful to placate the complainers. Now that we know they were pursuing his guy for perhaps two years, we can understand why they never said one single word when we went & got bin Laden in Pakistan. Our action reinforced and justified theirs by crossing borders to pursue.
This is something we could use here. No PC over there at all. Lets take alll the gangbangers who kill innocent people in drive by shooting, all people who murder during a robbery all convicted rapist shild molesters all agan related killings lets take these people line them up and start shooting. Like someone said Pay Per View to offset the cost
Won't work here. In China, they are pretty much a homogenous group. If the Chinese government kills a chinese person, there is little backlash. If they killed a Tibetian, then there is some outrage. We already have issues with law enforcement officers being accused of mistreatment of other races. That's why justice is slowed here and racially sensitive.
China disappoints me. They were the only ones left that did all the cool gory executions, beheadings, strangulations. shotguns blowing heads completely off, etc. What fun! No good kill movies left on the planet, and no good "reality "stuff either. This place is getting soft. What happened to all the good old wars we used to have when millions gathered on either side of a front and shot and blew the hell out of each other for months at a time. Spending millions of tons of ammunition on it all the while, creating perfectly good jobs. Are we becoming too effing civilized?? Gawd I HOPE not!!!Oh, wait!! The USofA government is getting ready to start a civil war that should gorily kill MILLIONS of our people. YAY!!
When it all starts, I'm moving outta this f*kin' place. Seezure all on the other side of life! Enjoy!
(hmm I hope someone sees the sarcasm in all this, else they label me a freakazoid... everyone is way too literal minded today... thats why they can all have the wool pulled so easily over their eyes... oh well.. not my problem!)
This country values lives too much here. Soon we won't have to worry about the blowback of soldiers being killed when we just send a drone to do the job instead. No one complains when a drone gets shot up.
I protest!!!!! They didn't get to sit on death row for 20 years and file appeals while receiving marriage offers from women and watching cable tv porn.
China and most countries in Asia do not play-in the west you can kill school kids and just about anybody for nothing,and the penalties are nothing in comparison.people in America see murder as normal until it strikes home.why should a cold blooded killer live and a innocent person die because somebody woke up tripping !
Kudos for televising what happens to criminals.
Actually, what they did isn't especially grotesque, in my opinion. They didn't film the execution... Look, if you're going to execute people, you should get maximum mileage of it, to deter others from emulating the crime. Publicizing a bit of the preparations doesn't sound very problematic to me. The Chinese public may find it to be in poor taste, but, frankly, if they did the same thing here, I'm not sure Americans civil libertarians or the public at large would really care... they might even welcome it: those who favor capital punishment would like the deterrent value and those who don't will think showing the guy freaking out as they take him out of his cell might cause the rest of us to be less supportive of the death penalty.
CA first. This is the way of the world. If you invest your time heavily in a high profit, high liability profession, eventually you have to pay the piper. My father always told me, "Don't rob a candy store, go to the Bank. At least make your jail time worth more". Essentially, don't do something stupid for chump change. This man knew the risks involved in his profession. He probably killed more people than they can even imagine. There was a famous gangster in Southern Illinois during prohibition and the Klan Wars. His name was Charlie Birger. This is not a racist statement forthcoming, Charlie was a Jew. During prohibition he and his gang were rivals of the Shelton gang here in Southern Illinois. Charlie was the last man executed by hanging here in Illinois. They hung him for a crime he didn't commit. His last words were, I didn't do the crime they are hanging me for. That's OK. I killed many people that they don't know about.
For the skeptics out there read the book "Bloody Williamson". It's a history of southern Illinois written by the worlds foremost Lincoln historian.
consequences! consequences! There would still be crime but a lot less.
Excellent point...the one thing for sure is that these particular individuals won't cause further problems.
Ya they Jet Li-ed the sh!t out of those motherf--kers! We should start doing that in the good old U.S.ofA.
You are outta here, don't show the one getting bumped show the next one in line. now that would be great TV. These tough guys in prison would pissing them selfs. i would love to see the look on their faces.