In Depth: How a Gangster Weaponized the Local Judicial System to Set a Rival Up for Murder
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After getting out of prison in 2018, Liu Qiu spent much of that year telling people that a local gangster was out to get him and he could end up dead at any moment, sources close to him said.
Liu, 48, came from a prominent family in Beizhen, a city of about half a million people in Northeast China’s Liaoning province. He and his father led a gang that monopolized the local concrete and produce industries, court documents showed.
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- Liu Qiu, formerly imprisoned and involved in gang activities, was framed for murder by rival gangster Lou He, who spent millions bribing local justice officials.
- Lou He, a prominent figure in Beizhen’s criminal underworld, manipulated the justice system through extensive corruption, resulting in Liu’s wrongful life sentence.
- Lou He was later sentenced to life imprisonment for his criminal activities, with investigations revealing widespread corruption reaching high government levels, including ties to former vice minister Sun Lijun.
After being released from prison in 2018, Liu Qiu, from Beizhen in Liaoning province, China, feared for his life due to local gangster Lou He [para. 1][para. 2]. Lou, a notorious criminal with ties to over 80 crimes, had significant influence over the local judicial system by using it to eliminate opponents [para. 3][para. 4][para. 6]. When Liu reported Lou's criminal activities, Lou used his connections to frame Liu for murder, spending about 12 million yuan in bribes to ensure Liu received a life sentence over an artist's suicide [para. 7][para. 8].
Lou's influence was exposed following the downfall of high-ranking officials safeguarding him. In September 2023, Lou was sentenced to life in prison on 18 charges including running a criminal organization, gambling operations, bribery, and assault [para. 9][para. 10]. Lou’s case exemplifies deep-rooted corruption in China, extending into high-level government protection [para. 11].
The setup against Liu likely wouldn't have succeeded without the suicide of artist Zhang Xuesong in 2014. Liu and Zhang had a close mentor-mentee relationship, but it soured when Liu believed Zhang had defrauded him [para. 13][para. 14]. Liu harassed Zhang, leading to Zhang's mental breakdown and suicide in April 2014 [para. 15][para. 16].
Initially, Liu faced no consequences for Zhang's death. However, following a failed attempt to steal opioids, Liu was imprisoned for robberies and drug abuse. Upon release in 2018, Liu reported Lou's gang activities amid a nationwide crackdown on organized crime [para. 18][para. 19]. Despite previous reports of Lou’s criminal operations, no comprehensive investigation was conducted until Lou's retaliation against Liu began [para. 26][para. 27].
Lou bribed police officials to frame Liu, directing them to investigate Liu over Zhang's suicide. Lou made substantial payouts to ensure Liu’s prosecution [para. 28][para. 29]. Despite Liu's initial charges only being for "provoking trouble," Lou maneuvered to elevate the charges to murder [para. 34][para. 35]. Lou bribed judges and prosecutors to secure harsher sentences, including life imprisonment for Liu [para. 37][para. 38].
In October 2020, Liu, along with his family, received significant prison sentences after being convicted of organized crime and other charges. Lou continued to bribe officials to block appeals and ensure convictions [para. 42][para. 43][para. 44].
Lou’s protection network included Wang Like, a high-ranking law enforcement official who received over 80 million yuan in bribes from Lou [para. 54][para. 56][para. 57]. Wang was charged with various crimes, including accepting bribes and shielding organized crime, and received a suspended death sentence in 2022 [para. 59][para. 60]. The collapse of protection following high-level corruption crackdowns ultimately led to Liu’s appeal and reduced sentences for his family [para. 63][para. 65].
Lou's trial revealed widespread corruption involving numerous officials, resulting in sentences for those who assisted in framing Liu. The court acknowledged the severe impact of the corruption on judicial integrity [para. 68][para. 69].
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