MA’ANSHAN, China – Two men in Anhui province have been sentenced to death for the poisoning of food at a martial arts school that resulted in the deaths of seven students 27 years ago. The local court announced the verdict and also mentioned that economic compensation will be provided to the families of the victims. This case comes after the two men, Fu Zejie and Zhu Zulin, had been on the run for nearly three decades until being arrested in May of last year.
According to the court’s statement, the conflict stemmed from a dispute between the two men and the founder of the martial arts school, leading to a plan to ruin the school by poisoning the students and teachers. Zhu promised to pay Fu for the poisoning, carrying out their plan by adding rat poison to a batch of pickled vegetables in the school’s kitchen. The following morning, more than 100 teachers and students fell ill and seven students tragically passed away.
After the poisoning, the two men tried to contact each other but were unable to reconnect. They were then identified as suspects by the police and added to the national wanted list, forcing them to remain on the run for nearly 30 years until their recent arrest. The victims’ families have sought compensation, and though the court’s statement did not mention the amount awarded, it is clear that justice has finally been served in this tragic case.