[bloodrayne]

HIT MEN FORCED VICTIM TO DRINK ACID

Five men have been charged with the murder of a man who was forced to drink acid at gunpoint in Australia.

Accountant Dominic Li was targeted by hit men hunting his brother-in-law over missing drug money, a court has heard.

The 45-year-old died after suffering almost three weeks of agony.

He was forced to drink the acid in front of his wife and 14-year-old son at their home in the Sydney suburb of Concord.

The hydrochloric acid burned Li's esophagus and led to the collapse of his respiratory system, as well as blinding him in both eyes.

The organised hit was allegedly part of an attempt to find a relative of Li, who had gone to ground after more than £190,000 in drug money went missing.

Five men aged from 24 to 39 faced Sydney's Central Local Court charged with the murder of Li, who was an innocent victim of the bungled plot.

A sixth man had been charged but killed himself in a Thai prison before he could be extradited to Australia to face charges.

Police said the motives for the attack was a bungled attempt to launder drug money in early 2002.

The case is due back in court on September 21.

The men were remanded in custody.