Gou Zhongwen, a former senior official, was on Monday handed the death penalty with a two-year reprieve for taking bribes and abuse of power.

Mr Zhongwen was a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a former deputy head of the CPPCC National Committee’s Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs.

According to a verdict issued by the Intermediate People’s Court of Yancheng in east China’s Jiangsu Province, Mr Zhongwen has been deprived of his political rights for life.

Also, all of his personal property will be confiscated, and his illegal gains from bribery will be recovered and turned over to the national treasury.

The court stated that between 2009 and 2024, Gou took undue advantage of his various positions, including as vice mayor of Beijing and head of the General Administration of Sport of China, to assist others with matters such as business operations and project approvals.

In exchange, he accepted money and valuables totaling over 236 million yuan (about $33 million).

The court also found that during his tenure as vice mayor of Beijing from 2012 to 2013, Gou abused his power in relevant project acquisition processes, causing significant losses to public property and the interests of the state and the people.

The court ruled that Gou’s severe criminal offenses had warranted the death penalty.

However, considering his cooperation in confessing to his crimes and returning his illicit gains, among other mitigating factors, the court granted Gou leniency in its final judgment.

According to the judgment, Gou’s death sentence can be commuted to life imprisonment in accordance with the law, but no further reduction or parole will be granted.

The court heard the case on Aug. 20. During the trial, prosecutors, the defendant, and his defense counsel cross-examined the evidence and gave their respective accounts.

Gou pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

(Xinhua/NAN)