A suspected organized crime gang, involving more than 30 members, is on trial in Bozhou, East China's Anhui Province.

The group, headed by 31-year-old Li Wei, has stood before the province's Bozhou Intermediate People's Court in an open hearing since Tuesday.

It was reported on the website of the Supreme People's Court yesterday.

They are accused of a range of offences, including assault, illegally owning firearms and rape.

The country is currently running a nationwide crackdown on mafia-style gangs to ensure a safer environment for people.

The trial is expected to last for four days, according to the report.

Li, also known as Li Xuanchuan, is accused of recruiting key members Li Ya, Luo Liang, Yang Qilin and 27 others into the gang in the city of Bozhou from 2002, carrying out a range of crimes and damaging social and economic order in the city.

The case is said to be the biggest criminal case ever in Bozhou, with the largest number of suspects and criminal charges. The case is being supervised by the Supreme People's Court. About 200 police officers were mobilized in the city on Tuesday to guard the court.

Public prosecutors said on September 9, 2004, ringleader Li Wei, a native of the city's Qiaocheng District, was wounded during an assault.

He believed it was masterminded by a man called Yang Dazhong. Li is accused of arranging a revenge attack on Yang, who was staying at the local Huatuo Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital after being injured in another incident.

Armed with hunting rifles and knives, Li Ya and other gang members are said to have sneaked into Yang's ward at the hospital in the following month and killed him.

The gang is also accused of provoking fights, arson, gambling, blackmail, theft, and sheltering and shielding criminals.

More than 700 people attended the hearing or stood outside the court building on the opening day, the website report said.

(China Daily 03/23/2006 page3)