Five people have been put on trial for allegedly abducting 11 children in Caopu and Buxin areas in Shenzhen. Two could face the death penalty.

The five, Xu Meisheng, Chen Qinsong, Qiu Huike, Zhou Yingcheng and Wu Zaotao, are accused of abducting 11 children aged between 3 and 6 from November 2002 to October 2003.

The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court was told Friday that the five suspects had earned 130,000 yuan (US$15,700) by selling the children to farmers in Jieyang City, 350km from Shenzhen.

Xu, the 44-year-old suspected ringleader, admitted that he had abducted four of the children.

However, his 10-year-old son told the court that he was forced by his father to lure the 11 victims with candies.

Prosecutors listed Chen, 47, as a co-prime suspect because the abducted children were allegedly taken to his home before they were sold and he allegedly assisted Xu in selling the victims. He admitted to all the charges and asked for leniency.

Qiu and Zhou allegedly acted as brokers. Wu, who is accused of helping transport the children to Jieyang, said she thought she was just accompanying the children to Jieyang for sightseeing.

Prosecutors said Xu and Chen could face the death penalty according to criminal law. The trial continues.

(Shenzhen Daily April 12, 2004)