In a recent and shocking development, China executed a 62-year-old man for committing one of the country's deadliest crimes in recent years. Fan Weiqiu, the perpetrator, was sentenced to death after a devastating car rampage in Zhuhai that resulted in the deaths of 35 people. The incident, which occurred in November, left 45 others injured and has been described as China's worst such crime since 2014.
Fan Weiqiu admitted his guilt in front of victims' families, officials, and the public. He deliberately drove a small SUV through crowds of people exercising outside a sports complex. The Zhuhai court described Fan's actions as "were extremely vile, (and) the nature of the crime extremely egregious," emphasizing the severity of the offense.
"were extremely vile, (and) the nature of the crime extremely egregious" – Zhuhai court
The court, which handed down the death sentence last month, concluded that Fan's crime was "extraordinarily serious." The incident has sparked widespread public shock and introspection within China regarding societal issues. Violent crime in China is generally less frequent compared to many Western countries; however, last year saw a troubling series of mass casualty events.
"particularly cruel, and the consequences particularly severe, posing significant harm to society" – Zhuhai court
In a separate but equally disturbing case, a court in eastern Jiangsu province executed a man responsible for a mass stabbing that killed eight people and injured 17 others. This individual was sentenced to death in December following the November attack. Both cases have contributed to growing concerns about public safety despite China's typically lower violent crime rates.
China maintains strict confidentiality over its death penalty statistics, classifying them as a state secret. The recent executions underscore the country's reliance on capital punishment for heinous crimes, reflecting its stringent approach to justice.
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