A court in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Friday heard the appeal of four policemen who allegedly tortured a suspect to get a confession, leading to his death.

Zhu Songyan, Zhu Chundong, Cui Hailong and Fan Zhiguo, former criminal police officers with Qing'an County Public Security Department, stood trial at the People's Court of Qing'an County presided over by judges from the Intermediate People's Court of Suihua City.

The four were charged with using torture to get confessions which led to the death of the suspect, surnamed Li, in a case involving robbery and manslaughter in May 2000, the court heard.

But the lawyers for the defendants said the suspect's death was not related to the torture and the medico-legal conclusion was illegal.

Qing'an County People's Court held the first trial in November 2008 and handed down a ruling convicting the four of intentional injury. The four appealed their case.

In the first trial, Zhu Songyan was given a jail term of 11 years, plus three years being deprived of political rights, Zhu Chundong, ten years in jail and two years deprived of political rights, Cui Hailong four years in jail and Fan Zhiguo three years in jail. Suspension of political rights means the suspension of the right to vote, to protest and freedom of expression.

The verdict for Friday's appeal is yet to be handed down, and will be announced at an unspecified date, said a court source.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2009)