China sentences three to death over $1bn investment scam

Three people have been sentenced to death in China for their part in an investment scam that netted more than 7.04bn yuan ($1bn).The incident is being seen as an attempt by the government to crack down on what is seen by many as a growing problem in China.

Ji Wenhua is expected to be executed fairly soon, while his brother Ji Shengjun and their father Ji Linqing have been given a two-year reprieve. All three were accused of illegally raising the money between 2005 and 2008.

Another brother, Ji Yongjun, was sentenced to life in prison, and two others were given three year jail sentences. All those involved in the case have also had their political rights taken away for the rest of their lives.