"Xinhua announced on Thursday that Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, meaning that their sentences will probably be commuted to life imprisonment if Li and Wei demonstrate good behaviour. Xinhua said that no further parole would be allowed, and that the two men were stripped of their political rights for life and all of their personal property."
"The sentences are expected to serve as a warning to other generals in the armed forces that even seniority and connections can not serve as a protection from purges. Li was defence minister for seven months in 2023. His predecessor was Wei, who served in that post for five years."
"Li was head of the military equipment procurement department between 2017 and 2022. Wei previously headed the Rocket Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), responsible for China's nuclear arsenal. Chinese state media previously said that Li was guilty of serious violation of Party discipline and the law."
"It said that an investigation found that Li sought improper benefits in personnel arrangements for himself and others, took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others, and accepted a huge amount of money and valuables in return. The two men were among the first and the most high profile military figures to be targeted in a sweeping crackdown on the armed forces."
Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were convicted by a Chinese military court and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery. Their sentences are likely to be commuted to life imprisonment if they demonstrate good behavior. No parole will be allowed, and both men will be stripped of political rights for life and have their personal property confiscated. The punishments are among the most severe in a years-long purge of the military. Li served briefly as defense minister in 2023, while Wei served as defense minister for five years. Both previously held roles with access to large budgets and sensitive equipment, including procurement and the Rocket Force responsible for China’s nuclear arsenal.
#china-military-purge #bribery-convictions #suspended-death-sentences #defense-ministry #rocket-force
Read at www.theguardian.com
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