BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two prime members of an organized crime gang in central China's Hubei Province were executed Wednesday after the Supreme People's Court (SPC) approved their death sentences.

Liu Lieyong was sentenced to death for the crimes of organizing and leading an organized criminal gang, murder, blackmail, illegal possession of arms and gambling, said a statement from the SPC.

Chen Xiaohui was convicted of participating in an organized criminal gang, murder, intentional injury, inciting disorder and illegal possession of arms.

Both were also permanently deprived of their political rights.

The statement did not reveal how the men were executed.

Another 19 people convicted in the case received jail terms from one year to death sentence with reprieve, said the statement.