China’s Supreme Court, in an unprecedented ruling, sentenced to death accused mafia leader Liu Yong, despite an earlier ruling that evidence in the trial of the former congressional delegate was flawed due to a confession extracted through torture. “Liu Yong has been sentenced to death for the crime of willfully causing harm,” the State Supreme Court said on Monday in a statement. “He should also be punished for a series of other crimes, and it was decided that the death sentence should be implemented,” the decision, carried by Xinhua news agency, said. In China’s judicial system, the ruling likely means that Liu’s execution would be carried out immediately. Liu was originally sentenced to death in April 2002, but during his appeal it was revealed that his confession had been extracted through torture, and in August this year he was given a two-year reprieve by the Liaoning provincial high court. Full Story