Ex-military leader Guo given life in bribery case

A Chinese military court sentenced Guo Boxiong, former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, to life in prison on Monday for accepting bribes.

Guo, 74, was also deprived of his political rights for life and stripped of his rank as general, a statement from the court said.

The military court ruled that Guo had taken advantage of his position to assist the promotion and reassignment of others, and had accepted huge amounts in bribes both personally and in collusion with others.

His personal assets were seized, and all his illicit gains were confiscated and turned over to the State treasury.

Guo's bribes were "extremely huge" and his crimes were "extremely serious", the statement said. However, he confessed to his misdeeds and repented in good faith, and all the proceeds of his crimes have been recovered, it added.

Guo, who retired in 2012 and was expelled from the Party last year, pleaded guilty and decided not to appeal. His trial was not open to the public because it "touched on military secrets", it said.

"We fully protected his rights, sending the indictment and telling him his litigation rights and duties after the case was filed on May 3," it said. "His lawyer was allowed to meet with him and look up materials for the case."

The military court fully safeguarded Guo's legal rights in accordance with the law, it added.

As for others implicated in Guo's case, the military court will deal with them in accordance with the law and mete out verdicts justly, according to the statement.

The trial was believed to be China's highest-level prosecution of a military figure over the past few decades.

Another former vice-chairman of the commission, Xu Caihou, died in mid-March last year before standing trial on corruption charges.