The murder trial of four policemen who allegedly beat a man to death eight years ago opened on Monday in Heilongjiang province. The case is being heard at the people's court of Qing'an county.

The policemen, attached to the Qing'an police bureau, are accused of beating a murder and robbery suspect, Li Xiangfu to death with wooden poles while he was shackled¹ to a heating radiator² in May 2000, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Li's family had over the past eight years frequently called for a fair investigation³ into his death. The policemen, Zhu Songyan, Zhu Chundong, Cui Hailong and Fan Guozhi were detained in May. A fifth, Lu Hongjun, is still at large, according to the Xinhua report.

Six lawyers are representing the accused, and four are appearing for the prosecution⁴, including a deputy chief procurator. The court hearing has been attended by several county NPC members, county CPPCC National Committee members and family members of the accused. But Li's family has been absent.

According to Xinhua, following the arrest of the accused, inspector-general Zhao Degui, who was in charge of the case, was allegedly attacked by two men hired by Zhang Guangfu, vice⁵-director of the Qing'an police bureau. Zhang has been detained and faces a separate trial.

Xinhua did not say why the case took eight years to come to trial. China Daily tried to seek comments from the Qing'an County People's Court, but calls to the court rang unanswered yesterday.

Questions:

1. In which Chinese province is the trial being held?

2. How many police are wanted in relation to the murder?

3. How many years ago was the murder carried out at the police station?

4. What happened to the inspector-general after the arrest of the accused?

Answers:

1. Heilongjiang.

2. 5 – one is still on the run and not in custody⁶.

3. 8.

4. He was allegedly attacked by two men hired by the vice director of the Qing'an police bureau.