Two former Chinese defence ministers sentenced to death for bribery charges

Beijing (ANTARA) - Two former Chinese defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, were sentenced to death with a two-year suspension on Thursday (7/5) in connection with corruption charges. The sentences against both were handed down separately by China’s military courts. Both Wei and Li are also former members of the Central Military Commission as well as former members of China’s State Council. According to the court rulings, Wei was found guilty of the criminal offence of accepting bribes, while Li was found guilty of the criminal offences of accepting and offering bribes. Their political rights have also been revoked for life, and all their personal assets will be confiscated by the state authorities. The court rulings state that there will be no further reduction of sentence or parole after their sentences are reduced to life imprisonment in accordance with the law, following the end of the two-year suspension period.