23 of 50 fugitives on class-A wanted notice detained

BEIJING -- A total of 23 of the 50 fugitives suspected of major crimes who are on a class-A wanted notice issued by China's Ministry of Public Security have been detained, the ministry announced Thursday.

Of the 23 detainees, two are suspected of intentional homicide, eight are suspected of gang-related and organized crimes, seven are suspected of telecom and online fraud and five are suspected of other major crimes of fraud, the ministry said at a press conference.

Since the class-A wanted notice was issued on July 24, public security authorities nationwide have taken the highest-level measures of investigation and surveillance on the 50 fugitives, said Jiang Guoli, deputy head of the criminal investigation bureau under the ministry.

He said seven of the fugitives voluntarily turned themselves in to the authorities under the pressure of the law and policies.

Two fugitives were arrested by police with the help of tip-offs and those who offered tip-offs will be awarded 200,000 yuan ($28,400), Jiang noted.

The public security authorities are verifying a large number of clues about the fugitives provided by the public, he said.

Jiang stressed that the authorities and the people have the determination and capability to arrest the rest of the fugitives and urged them to surrender for leniency.