Following a closed trial, former military leader Guo Boxiong was handed a life sentence Monday according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, making him the highest-level figure within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be sent to prison as part of President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on corruption.
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He was stripped of his rank of general and his personal assets have been seized, Xinhua news agency reports.
Guo had earlier been put under corruption investigation and was in July expelled from the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). Guo abused his position to help others with promotions and took “massive” bribes, either on his own or in connivance with others, Xinhua said.
Guo had admitted his crimes, expressed regret, accepted the judgment and would not appeal, Xinhua said. A commentary carried on the Defence Ministry’s website said the fight against graft was a “life and death” struggle for the military.
A source close to the military told the South China Morning Post the court found Guo and his family had sold ranks to serving generals, lieutenants and major generals.
It has not been possible to reach either Guo for comment and it is not clear who their lawyers are. Xi was also a vice chairman with Guo and Xu from 2010-2012, before he became head of the party and military commission chief. Before their retirement, the men had been two of China’s top military officers who served together under Xi’s predecessor, Hu Jintao.
Guo also was once among the 25 members of the partys Politburo.
A number of other high-ranking officers have been accused – including the other vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who died past year.
Such prosecutions are careful to stay away from politics – though statements by the Party leader Xi Jinping recently have made clearer than ever that he believes a conspiracy to “wreck” the Party was afoot, nearly certainly a reference to a political coup or similar against the leadership.
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Thousands of officials including high ranking leaders were indicted in Xis anti-corruption campaign which also drew criticism that it enabled him to consolidate his hold on the power.
