GUANGZHOU: An inmate who died in a prison in south China's Guangdong province was beaten to death by fellow prisoners, prosecutors said yesterday.

An autopsy, along with a police investigation, showed Liu Yushan was beaten by fellow inmates Luo Qingping and Wen Xiaoping before his death in Gaoming Prison in Gaoming District of Foshan City, according to a statement issued by the Guangdong Provincial Procuratorate.

On March 28, Liu was "wrestled to the ground and beaten by Luo and Wen who were on duty to help maintain order in prison," because they saw Liu "rush toward a prison guard," said the statement.