Chinese court rejects appeal in Mekong River killings

The court rejects the appeals by all six defendantsFour of the men had received death sentencesThey were convicted in the October 2011 killings of 13 Chinese sailors

(CNN) -- A court in China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday rejected an appeal from six defendants convicted of killing 13 Chinese sailors, said the state-run Xinhua news agency.

Last month, the Intermediate People's Court of Kunming sentenced four of the men to death for the killings, which occurred in October 2011 on the Mekong River.

They were also ordered to pay compensation of 6 million yuan (about $960,000).

Read more: Chinese court sentences drug gang to death over river murders

One of the men is a drug lord identified as Naw Kham; the other three were members of his gang, Xinhua said.

Of the two other gang members, one received a death sentence with a reprieve and another was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Thai authorities discovered the murder scene after boarding two Chinese cargo ships that had come under gunfire.

They found nearly 1 million amphetamines and the 12 bodies, some with their hands bound. One sailor was missing.

The men had been charged with homicide, hijacking, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

The alleged gang was arrested in a joint operation by police from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to the state-run China Daily.

Five of the six men are from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos; one is stateless, Xinhua said.

Naw Kham's gang colluded with Thai soldiers in the attack on the cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, Xinhua said.

Naw Kham had also directed several of his subordinates in the kidnapping of Chinese sailors and hijacking of cargo ships in exchange for ransom in early April 2011, the court said.

Read more: Opinion: Mekong River dam threatens livelihoods and ecosystems

CNN's Elizabeth Yuan contributed to this report.

Check out CNN's latest news, commentary, photos, and videos on our China special section. December 25, 2012 -- Updated 0535 GMT (1335 HKT) When a migrant worker leaves his village, he also leaves his social benefits behind, acquiring a status compared to that of an illegal immigrant.December 14, 2012 -- Updated 0335 GMT (1135 HKT) Here are five key China stories that "On China" host Kristie Lu Stout has her eye on for 2013. December 11, 2012 -- Updated 1359 GMT (2159 HKT) CNN's Anna Coren reports on an entire Chinese family's struggle with HIV after the mother was infected in a hospital.December 3, 2012 -- Updated 1339 GMT (2139 HKT) When James Law looks in the mirror he sees weather reports, e-mails and his heart rate. China is looking to lead tech development in the "Internet of Things" industry.December 11, 2012 -- Updated 1422 GMT (2222 HKT) Without legal or political recourse to address their grievances, Tibetan protestors risk their lives, says the London-based Free Tibet.November 30, 2012 -- Updated 0713 GMT (1513 HKT) For centuries political satire has been a staple for much of Chinese humor, and remains so during the Communist era, writes CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz.December 1, 2012 -- Updated 0823 GMT (1623 HKT) Prominent human rights advocate Chen Guangcheng told CNN his nephew's conviction in China was retribution for Chen's escape.November 16, 2012 -- Updated 1622 GMT (0022 HKT) As China anointed its new leadership, CNN asked five experts to explain what they see as the country's most pressing challenges.November 26, 2012 -- Updated 0728 GMT (1528 HKT) Mainland Chinese students lead international enrollment across U.S. higher education, including at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Share with us your photos and videos of life in China-- the everyday China. The best content could be featured online or on air.Today's five most popular stories

View the original article here