BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The legal rights of defendants in a serious telecom fraud case, some of whom are Taiwanese, were well protected during investigation and trial, said a mainland spokesperson Thursday.

The court and prosecutors have handled the case strictly in line with the law, said An Fengshan, spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office in a press release.

On Thursday, a Beijing court found 85 defendants, 44 of whom are Taiwanese, guilty of committing telecom fraud and cheating 185 victims out of 29 million yuan (4.4 million U.S. dollars).

After the judgement was delivered, defendants were arranged to meet their families, An said.

Telecom fraud has undermined the interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait for some time, he said.

"Subjecting these criminals to legal penalty is a move to deliver justice and safeguard people's rights and interests," he said. "It has support from compatriots on both sides and understanding from the international community."

The mainland will continue to crack down on telecom fraud and protect the essential interests of people on both sides of the Strait, he said.