Chinese Court Sentences Police Officers Complicit in Raiding Ancient Tombs

Public security authorities provided explosives and detonators used to commit the thefts

A view of relics of ancient terracotta warriors is seen in the No.2 pit of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum on October 24, 2007 in Lintong of Shaanxi Province, China. China Photos/Getty Images

Four people, including a former deputy police chief in northern China, were sentenced to life in prison for their roles as accomplices to the looting of ancient tombs.

The High People’s Court of Shanxi Province reported Sept. 12 that the previous day, 10 people had stood trial for the thefts, including former police officers tasked with protecting the ancient relics.