Two suspects arrested in deadly abduction of official in central China

ZHENGZHOU, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Two suspects who allegedly abducted an official in charge of construction in central China's Henan Province and caused his death have been arrested, police said Friday.

Lu Jibing, 33, and Qu Gang, 37, confessed to police that they kidnapped Su Fengquan, head of the Biyang County Construction Bureau, for money so that they could settle their gambling debts, a county police spokesman said.

They crammed the official into a silver grey van Tuesday and contacted Su's family Wednesday morning, demanding 500,000 yuan (71,430 U.S. dollars) for his release.

Police seized Lu Jibing Wednesday afternoon when he was receiving money from Su's family.

Lu told police that they sealed Su's mouth with tape and tied up his arms and legs, and put him in an abandoned house in a remote corner of Yingqiao Town in Xiangcheng County, in the neighboring Xuchang City.

Su was found dead when police arrived there Wednesday night.

The spokesman said Su died of suffocation.