Beijing, May 19 (IANS): A 53-year-old Chinese who raped a woman on a train between Beijing and Moscow 19 years ago, and who also took part in 13 robberies in Russia, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Jia Xiaoming was also deprived of political rights for life, the Shanghai Daily reported citing the Beijing Railway Transportation Intermediate Court.
In March 1993, the man boarded the Trans-Siberian Express, which took six days to travel from Beijing and Moscow. He met a woman and raped her in her compartment twice.
Between December 1991 and May 1993, Jia and several partners robbed more than 30 Chinese merchants in railway stations, hotels and residences in Moscow.
The man has been on the run since his crimes came to light in 1993.
He was arrested in June 2011, after hiding for more than 18 years.