Former vice-minister of public security charged with abuse of position

Sun Lijun, the former vice-minister of public security, has been charged with taking bribes, manipulating the securities market and the illegal possession of firearms by Changchun People's Procuratorate in Jilin province, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Thursday.

The SPP said in a statement that the Changchun People's Procuratorate was designated with handling the case and it had recently filed a public lawsuit against Sun to the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

Prosecutors informed Sun of his rights, questioned him and listened to the defense's position during examination and prosecution, the SPP stated.

Prosecutors said the former official had capitalized on his positions and influence, including as head of the general operations division of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government foreign affairs office, as deputy head of the general office of the Ministry of Public Security and as vice-minister of Public Security, for the benefit of others and to manipulate the securities market, acts for which he received bribes and properties in return. He also violated gun control regulations and owned firearms illegally.

Sun, 53, was placed under investigation for the suspected severe violation of discipline and law by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission in April 2020. He was expelled from the Party and removed from his post in September 2021.

A native from Qingdao, Shandong province, Sun began work in September 1988 and became a Party member in December 1997, according to the website of the country's top anti-graft body.