Former Liuzhou official sentenced to death with reprieve for bribery

Wu Wei, the former secretary of the Liuzhou municipal committee, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery and abuse of power, according to the first-instance judgment of the intermediate people's court of Beihai city in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Thursday.

The court sentenced the defendant to lifetime deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all personal assets.

Additionally, the court ordered Wu Wei to turn over all proceeds and interests obtained through bribery to the national treasury. Any amounts of shortfall will be pursued.

The trial revealed that from 2004 to 2023, Wu took advantage of his positions in Liuzhou city and Hengxian county of Nanning city to assist relevant entities and individuals in project contracting and other matters. He illegally accepted more than 186 million yuan ($25.5 million) in bribes, jointly or individually.

Between 2016 and 2021, Wu violated regulations stipulating that urban rail transit projects must receive approval from the State Council before being approved by provincial development and reform departments. Without the State Council's approval, he instructed relevant units to finance the construction of the Liuzhou urban rail transit project through debt financing, causing significant losses and adverse influence.

The intermediate people's court of Beihai city concluded that Wu's actions constituted the crimes of bribery and abuse of power, warranting multiple convictions. Due to the exceptionally large amount of bribes taken by Wu and the severity of the abuse of power, the court deemed it necessary to impose legal penalties.

Considering Wu Wei's truthful confession upon being apprehended, his voluntary disclosure of previously unknown aspects of his corrupt activities, his admission of guilt and remorse, and his return of embezzled funds — with the majority of the proceeds having already been recovered — the court decided to impose a lighter punishment in accordance with the law.