Wang Yuefu, the main defendant in the arson attack, was executed by the Qingdao Intermediate People's Court after the Shandong Provincial Higher People's Court dismissed his appeal in February, upholding the initial verdict in March last year, which sentenced Wang to death for arson and provocation.
Two other defendants, including Du Qunshan, head of Dujiatuan Village, Pingdu City, received life sentences.
The appeals for leniency of another four defendants, who received prison terms ranging from six to 19 years, were also rejected.
Du and Wang attempted to force villagers to leave by setting fire to the tent.
Ordered by Wang, three of the defendants, all wielding knives, poured gasoline over the tent and set it on fire, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The case attracted significant public attention in China and renewed people's concerns over land disputes.
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