Xinxiang (CNS) -- Fifteen suspects in the tainted pork scandal have been sentenced to differing degrees of punishment, from stay of execution, to various set terms of imprisonment from one year to life, for their illegal production or sales of pork containing the banned chemical clenbuterol, or "lean meat powder," by August 9.
Eight suspects were brought to justice during the first court procedure on July 25. Tuesday saw the second trial of another seven suspects. They were sentenced to set terms of imprisonment and fines for the crime of illegal business operations.
During the first trial in July, five clenbuterol producers were judged for their crimes against public safety. Three public officials were declared guilty of crimes of dereliction.
The low-fat pig scandal was revealed to the public this March. A thorough investigation was carried out in the disciplinary inspection offices, supervision offices, public security offices, and agriculture offices all over Henan Province including Wen County, Mengzhou City, Qingyang City, Huojia County, and Shangqiu City.
During the August 9 court session, six defendant lawyers claimed that the media's interference should be excluded from the measurement of penalty. They argued that the court should be skeptical of the public prosecution's statement that "the crime has caused serious social impacts after it was publicized by the media."
The first defendant Han Weibin's lawyer challenged the validity of listing the social consequences of media reports as a reference for the judge in punishment, in an interview with the CNS.
