Beijing, Oct.22 Three gang leaders were sentenced to death yesterday and three others got the ultimate penalty - with a two-year reprieve - as courts in Chongqing municipality began a series of organized-crime trials.

Yang Tianqing, 35, was given the death sentence after he was convicted of murder, assault, extortion, coercive business practices and other charges linked to "mafia-style gang" operations, according to a statement issued by the No 1 Intermediate People's Court in China's most populous city.

Liu Chenghu, an important member of Yang's gang, was also sentenced to death after he was convicted of five charges, including running a "mafia-style" organization.

Two other members of the crime syndicate were sentenced to death with reprieves, meaning they will not be immediately executed and that there is a chance they may have their sentences commuted to life in prison. Five other gangsters received jail terms, ranging from 11 years to life.

A total of 20 other members of Liu's crime family were jailed for between one and 17 years.

More than 1,500 suspects linked to organized crime groups, including more than a dozen senior police officers and judicial officials, have been arrested since June 20, when the municipality launched its largest-ever crackdown on mafia-style gangs. (ANI)