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Former Chinese Justice Minister Tang Yijun has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes worth almost $20 million over a decade ago.
The 64-year-old served as China’s justice minister from 2020 to 2023 and held various other positions, including governor of Liaoning province and head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the city of Ningbo.
The Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court in eastern China said in a statement that Tang abused the advantages associated with the positions he successively held to obtain benefits for various entities and individuals between 2006 and 2022.
It added that in exchange for payment, the former official helped individuals and companies with initial public offerings, securing bank loans, acquiring land and other matters.
According to the statement, Tang received a total of 137 million yuan ($19.7 million). It added that such a high amount of bribes caused extremely serious damage to the interests of the state and the people.
However, the court said it had taken into account mitigating circumstances, including Tang’s confession after his arrest and cooperation with the investigation.
The Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched an anti-corruption purge since coming to power in 2012, a move critics say allows him to eliminate potential political rivals.
