November 24, 2009 , 2-Chinese Executed

China executed two milk producers on Tuesday for selling more than three million pounds of contaminated milk powder in connection with a food-safety scandal that killed six infants, shocking the country last year. The authorities described the two men who were executed, Zhang Yujun and Geng Jinping, as among the biggest culprits of the scandal. Mr. Zhang was found guilty of selling more than 1.3 million pounds of tainted milk powder from July 2007 to August 2008, and Mr. Geng was convicted of selling more than 1.9 million pounds of contaminated product. Nineteen other people were tried and sentenced in January for their roles in the scheme. Fifteen of them were imprisoned for terms ranging from 2 to 15 years. One received a suspended death sentence, and three received life sentences. The New York Times, 11/24/2009

Authorities in the northern Chinese city of Shijiazhuang have executed two people for their role in a tainted baby milk scandal which killed at least six children and sickened hundreds of thousands. The announcement came as groups of supporters called for the release of Zhao Lianhai, an activist parent who campaigned for the right to file lawsuits on behalf of other parents whose children were affected. Zhao was detained by Beijing police for "inciting affray" after he traveled to the capital with 41 other parents in the hope of attracting the attention of authorities during U.S. President Barack Obama's state visit. Radio Free Asia, 11/25/2009