Beijing (HRNW)- A Chinese military court has sentenced two former defense ministers to suspended death sentences on corruption charges, in a case widely seen as part of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign.
According to China’s state news agency, the military court in Beijing handed down sentences against former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, also ordering life imprisonment. The death sentences have been suspended for two years and will be commuted to life imprisonment afterward. Both officials have also been permanently stripped of their political rights, and their personal assets have been confiscated.
State media reported that Wei Fenghe was found guilty of accepting bribes, while Li Shangfu was convicted of both receiving and giving bribes. The two officials held senior military and government positions between 2018 and 2023 and were also members of China’s powerful Central Military Commission.
Experts say the verdict represents one of the harshest punishments imposed on senior Chinese military leadership in recent years. Political analysts note that President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption drive has led to the removal of several high-ranking military officers and officials from office.
While critics argue that the campaign may also target political rivals, the Chinese government strongly denies these claims, insisting that the drive is aimed at eliminating corruption and strengthening governance.
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