China gives suspended death sentences to 2 former defense ministers accused of bribery

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese military court gave suspended death sentences Thursday to former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, who were accused of bribery, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

The court said Wei was guilty of accepting bribes and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. It said Li was guilty of accepting and offering bribes, and handed him the same sentence.

Suspended death sentences are often commuted to life in prison in China.

The sentences are the latest in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s campaign of purging senior officials. Xi started an anti-corruption drive more than a decade ago and his drive has continued unabated, culminating in the removal of China’s highest ranking general and military leadership in January.

Wei served as defense minister from 2018 until 2023. Li succeeded him but served for just months until he was removed from office in October 2023.

The Associated Press