China Executes Man Who Killed 35 in Car Rampage
Background
China executed a man who killed 35 people in a car rampage in the southern city of Zhuhai in November, in what is considered the country’s deadliest mass attack in years.
The Attack
On November 11, 62-year-old Fan Weiqiu deliberately drove a small SUV through crowds of people exercising outside a sports complex, also injuring 45 in China’s worst such crime since 2014.
Sentencing and Execution
Fan was sentenced to death last month, with a court saying his motives "were extremely vile, (and) the nature of the crime extremely egregious". State broadcaster CCTV reported that a Zhuhai court executed Fan Weiqiu in accordance with the execution order issued by the Supreme People’s Court. The municipal public prosecutor sent personnel to supervise the execution in accordance with the law.
Public Reaction
Fan’s attack sparked widespread public shock and soul-searching in China about the state of society. The attack also led to a broader discussion about the country’s society, including issues such as frustration with a slowing economy, high unemployment, and diminishing social mobility.
Second Execution
CCTV reported that a separate court in eastern Jiangsu province had carried out the death penalty on a man who killed eight people and wounded 17 in a mass stabbing in November. Xu Jiajin, a 21-year-old former student who attacked a vocational school in the city of Wuxi, was executed "in accordance with the law". He too had been sentenced to death in December, with the court concluding that his crime was "extraordinarily serious".
China’s Death Penalty
China classifies death penalty statistics as a state secret, but rights groups including Amnesty believe the country executes thousands every year.
Conclusion
The executions of Fan and Xu are a reminder of the severity of China’s approach to crime and punishment. While violent crime is generally rarer in China than in many Western countries, the country has seen a string of mass casualty events in recent years. The executions also highlight the need for a broader discussion about the state of Chinese society and the factors that contribute to violent crime.
FAQs
- Who was executed for the car rampage in Zhuhai?
Fan Weiqiu, 62, was executed for killing 35 people in a car rampage in Zhuhai. - How many people were killed in the attack?
35 people were killed in the attack. - What was the motive behind the attack?
The motive behind the attack was reportedly a broken marriage, personal frustrations, and dissatisfaction with the division of property after divorce. - How many people were injured in the attack?
45 people were injured in the attack. - How many people were executed in connection with the mass stabbing in Wuxi?
1 person, Xu Jiajin, was executed in connection with the mass stabbing in Wuxi.