Former official executed for 2015 murder

A former senior official in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region was executed on Friday for murder.

Zhao Liping, former vice-chairman of the Inner Mongolia regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was convicted of intentional homicide, taking bribes and possession of firearms, according to a statement from the Supreme People's Court.

Taiyuan Intermediate People's Court in Shanxi province sentenced Zhao to death for the homicide on Nov 11, 2016. He was executed on Friday after the death penalty was approved by the Supreme People's Court.

According to China's Criminal Procedure Law, any death penalty has to be submitted to the top court for final review.

Zhao was found guilty of having shot dead a 26-year-old woman, identified only by her surname, Li, in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, on March 20, 2015, according to the verdict.

It said two guns and 49 bullets were found at the crime scene.

Zhao also took advantage of his post to secure business contracts and official positions for associates, and accepted bribes totaling 23.68 million yuan ($3.45 million) from 2008 to 2010, when he was the police chief of Inner Mongolia, the verdict said.

During the investigation, police located 91 detonators traced back to Zhao, which, together with the guns and bullets, constitute the crime of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Zhao committed crimes with serious consequences and vile social effects, according to the top court.

"The death penalty was given on the basis of clear facts and solid and sufficient evidence. In addition, all the procedures were pursuant to laws," the top court said in the statement. "Therefore, the court approved the death sentence that was decided by the Taiyuan Intermediate People's Court and upheld by the Shanxi High People's Court."

Zhao was allowed to see close family members before being executed on Friday, according to the statement.