KUNMING - A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced drug lord Naw Kham and three of his subordinates to death for the murder of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River last year.

Naw Kham(R), principal suspect for the murders of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River last year, appears at the Intermediate People's Court of Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, on Nov 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Another two members of Naw Kham's gang, identified by their Chinese names Zha Bo received a death sentence with reprieve and Zha Tuobo received eight years in prison, according to a verdict handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

All six suspects were charged with intentional homicide, drug trafficking, kidnapping and ship hijacking.

All six defendants said at the court they would appeal Tuesday's verdict.