China punishes 829 judges, court staff for corruption in 2013

BEIJING - China investigated and punished 829 judges and other court staff for corruption in 2013, up 42.3 percent year on year, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said on Sunday.

Among the 829 court officials, 157 were transferred to judicial organs for prosecution, 294 punished for violation of Party disciplines, and 531 punished for breaching government disciplines, the SPC said in a statement.

The SPC said 683 judges and court staff turned over illegal gains including cash, securities and payment documents, to the value of 3.32 million yuan ($540,000), in 2013.

The authority will continue the "high-handed posture" in the fight against judicial corruption, said the statement.