Chongqing Municipal Higher People's Court Monday started hearing the appeals of two ring leaders and 18 other gang members after a large-scale crackdown on organized crime in the southwestern mega-city.

Open to the public, Monday's court hearing is expected to last three days, a court spokesman said.

On February 10, the Chongqing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People's Court sentenced two to death. Six others received death with a two-year reprieve. Some 26 others received jail terms ranging from 10 months to life imprisonment.

Gang leader Gong Gangmo was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted on nine counts - running a gang, murder, illegal dealing in and transportation of guns and ammunition, drug trafficking, operation of illegal businesses, bribery, operation of a casino, and tolerating others' drug taking.

Another gang leader, Fan Qihang, and its principal member, Wu Chuanjiang, were sentenced to death for similar crimes.

The court found that the defendants were involved in underworld gang activities like violence and usurious lending in Chongqing from 2006.

The gang members were arrested for killing a man on June 3, 2009, in Chongqing.