Three suspects involved in the case of a former official's sex tape scandal stood their second trial Thursday at a local court in Chongqing after they appealed against their sentences in the first verdict.

The verdict will be issued at another time.

The three, all charged with extortion, were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors advised the court to consider giving a lighter punishment to the principal suspect, Xiao Ye, should he return the money extorted from local officials. Xiao orchestrated the scheme by luring officials into having sex with women and recording clips with five other suspects since 2007.

Lei Zhengfu, former chief of Chongqing's Beibei District Party Committee involved in the scandal, was sentenced to 13 years in jail for bribery. Lei's second trial will open on Friday after he appealed.