China Sentences Two Former Defense Ministers to Death
China has given suspended death sentences to two former defense ministers. Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were convicted of bribery.
A military court handed down the sentences. Li was found guilty of accepting and offering bribes.
Wei was convicted of accepting bribes only. Both men lost all political rights for life.
All their personal property was also taken away. In China a suspended death sentence includes a two-year wait.
After that the sentence becomes life in prison with no chance of release. These are the harshest sentences given to senior military officers since 2012.
That was when President Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign. The announcement follows the recent removal of several other top military officials in China.
Klear Note — China's anti-corruption campaign started in 2012. It targets high-ranking officials and military leaders. Suspended death sentences in China convert to life prison after two years.
Key Terms 4
- suspended death sentence A death sentence that becomes life in prison after two years
- anti-corruption campaign Xi Jinping's long-running effort to punish bribery in China's government and military
- Li Shangfu Former Chinese defense minister convicted of bribery
- Wei Fenghe Former Chinese defense minister convicted of accepting bribes