Former Chinese deputy police minister sentenced for graft

BEIJING (AP) — A former deputy police minister who was accused of leading a crime gang of government officials was given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve Friday on charges of manipulating the stock market, taking bribes and other offenses, in a case that involved at least two former Cabinet officials, Chinese state TV reported.

Sun Lijun’s conviction adds to a string of senior officials who have been punished in an anti-graft campaign launched after President Xi Jinping took power in late 2012 that some see as politically motivated.

The latest penalty comes ahead of a meeting of the ruling Communist Party next month at which Xi is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as leader.

A former justice minister and a former ruling party official who were accused of colluding with Sun received similar penalties Thursday.

Sun was convicted by the court in the northeastern city of Changchun of collecting 646 million yuan ($91 million) in bribes, China Central TV reported on its website.

Sun was charged with using his official position in 2018 to manipulate stock trading to help a trader avoid losses. He also was accused of selling official jobs and abandoning his post during the COVID-19 outbreak.