Thirteen people, including an airline employee, are currently on trial in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Sources with the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court said yesterday that the alleged human smugglers known as "snakeheads" are accused of helping 200 Chinese emigrate illegally to Europe between June and September last year.

The three-day trial ends today and the "principal defendants could face serious punishment if they are found guilty," Li Zhongyuan, a spokesman for the court, told China Daily. It is not known when a ruling will be given.

Sources at the court also indicate that a number of immigration officials are involved in the case but have been charged. They are alleged to be on the run.

The two principal suspects, Lin Chuanfeng and Zeng Weixing, have denied the charges.

The court quoted Lin Chuanfeng as saying that the real mastermind behind the case is one Lin Chuangan, who is still at large. Meanwhile, Zeng told the court that he was not involved at all.

Lin Chuangan is alleged to have provided emigrants with fake passports.

Lin Chuanfeng and Zeng were allegedly responsible for organizing overseas accommodation, securing visas and buying air tickets.

All three main suspects are from east China's Fujian Province, and it is estimated that each of them made 1,000-3,000 yuan (US$123-369) for every illegal emigrant they helped.

(China Daily October 27, 2005)