[Deathpenalty] death penalty news---worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 10


CHINA:

Chief judge faces death penalty


The former chief judge of China's Hunan Higher People's Court was
sentenced to death at a trial in Beijing yesterday for accepting millions
of yuan worth of bribes, Xinhua news agency reported today.

Beijing's No. 2 Intermediate People's Court said Wu Zhenhan took bribes
worth over 6 million yuan (US$759,500) from 1998 to 2003. Wu reportedly
accepted some of the bribes via his wife and son. Both of them are
considered accomplices, Xinhua said.

The court said Wu is guilty of accepting bribes and taking advantage of
his position. However, since Wu confessed to all the crimes, he was given
a 2-year suspension on his death penalty.

Wu has returned most of the illicit money and properties, the court said.

Some earlier media reports said the former deputy chief of Changsha
Intermediate People's Court, which is affiliated with the Hunan higher
court, was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for bribing Wu to get a
promotion.

In accordance with China's criminal procedural law, Wu is entitled to
appeal at Beijing People's Higher Court.

The Supreme People's Court is currently framing nation-wide criteria on
punishments for bribery.

(source: Shanghai Daily)