Zunyi’s former Party secretary stands trial in bribery case

The former Party secretary of Zunyi, Guizhou province, went on trial on Thursday at Xi’an Intermediate People’s court in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province, for alleged bribery and abuse of power.

Liao Shaohua, 54, was placed under investigation on Oct 28, 2013, suspended from his position two days later, and expelled from the Party and discharged from office on May 8, 2014.

The investigation showed that Liao took advantage of his position to seek benefits for others, accepted huge bribes and caused significant loss of State funds by abusing his power.

Designated by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the investigation of Liao’s case was completed by the Shaanxi provincial people’s procuratorate and transferred to Xi’an people’s procuratorate for examination and prosecution.

Li Ruoyu, deputy chief procurator of the Xi’an people’s procuratorate and prosecutor in Liao’s case, said in court that Liao took advantage of his position to seek benefits for others, illegally received 13.2 million yuan ($2.1 million), and misused his power, causing a 3.11 million yuan loss of State funds from 2004 to June 2012 when he was a top city official in Guizhou province.

Liao and his counsel said they had no objection to the charges in the indictment or the evidence presented by the prosecutors.

Wang Zhaohui, Liao’s lawyer from Shaanxi Fazhi Law Firm, said Liao was frank about his bribes and abuse of power, and voluntarily surrendered during the investigation, which should be considered as reasons for a lighter punishment.

In his final statement, Liao said he knew he seriously violated Party discipline and laws by accepting huge bribes and abusing his power.

The trial closed and the judge said he will announce his judgment in Liao’s case at a later date.

malie@chinadaily.com.cn