The fight against corruption in China is intensifying. Two former defense ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, have been found guilty of large-scale bribery and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. This was reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
It is reported that both officials previously served in China's highest military and state systems. They were members of the Central Military Commission and the State Council.
According to the Chinese military court's decision, Wei Fenghe was found guilty of accepting large bribes. Li Shangfu was charged with both bribery and corruption-related crimes.
Under the court's ruling, the former ministers have been stripped of their political rights for life. They can no longer hold public office, vote, or participate in political processes.
It was also announced that all their personal property would be confiscated by the state. This decision once again demonstrates the Chinese government's uncompromising policy against corruption.
Notably, the sentence is in the form of a 'death penalty with a two-year reprieve.' This is considered one of the unique legal measures in Chinese legislation.
According to the law, if the convicts do not commit additional serious crimes during the two-year period, the death penalty is automatically commuted to life imprisonment. However, there is virtually no possibility of parole or sentence reduction for such convicts.
In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in corruption cases against high-ranking officials in China. For instance, in August last year, Liu Xintai, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial People's Congress, was also sentenced to a suspended death penalty for accepting large bribes.
According to official data, he illegally received more than 316 million yuan, which is approximately 44 million dollars.
Additionally, the sentencing of former Chinese Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian to death for corruption-related crimes last September caused a major stir.
Analysts believe that the Beijing government is attempting to strengthen discipline and control in the country by further intensifying the fight against corruption within the state system.
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