China's former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu sentenced to death with reprieve for corruption

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China's former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu sentenced to death with reprieve for corruption

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China's former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu sentenced to death with reprieve for corruption

Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA

Former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu received death sentences with two-year reprieves.
Both were expelled from the Communist Party for corruption.
A death sentence with reprieve can lead to life imprisonment if no further crimes are committed.

Former Chinese defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges, as reported by state media Xinhua. This legal action is part of an extensive anti-corruption campaign within China's military leadership, which has seen multiple high-ranking officials ousted recently, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

The court's decision stems from allegations of "serious violations of discipline," a term often associated with corruption. Such a death sentence in China is usually reduced to life imprisonment after two years if the convicted commits no additional crimes during the reprieve, according to Channel News Asia and Channel News Asia.

Wei was known as the former commander of the Rocket Force, and Li was a key figure in China’s military modernization efforts and space programs, indicating the significant level of their previous commitments to the People's Liberation Army. Both men’s personal assets have been seized following their convictions, as reported by BBC and Channel News Asia.