Li Chuncheng stands trial on Thursday at a court in Xianning City in central China's Hubei Province.(Photo/Xinhua)
Former vice chief of Sichuan provincial committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Li Chuncheng, stood trial on Thursday at a court in Xianning City in central China's Hubei Province.
The public trial was held at Xianning Municipal Intermediate People's Court. Li, present in court with his defense counsel, was charged with accepting bribes and abuse of power.
Prosecutors pointed out that between 1999 and 2012, Li abused his power to seek profits for others in land development and project contracts, and illegally accepted money and property worth 39.8 million yuan (6.49 million U.S. dollars) personally or through his wife.
From September 2001 to July 2011, when he served as mayor and then Party chief of Chengdu City in Sichuan, Li illegally assisted other people in seeking profits under instruction from his superior, Zhou Yongkang, and caused serious losses to public property, according to the prosecutors.
Zhou was charged in a separate case with bribery, abuse of power and intentional disclosure of state secrets.
Prosecutors presented bank records, accounting credentials, project contracts, pictures, witness testimonies, and the defendant's statement and self-defense, among other evidence.
Both the prosecution and defense examined the evidence in court and presented their arguments on the conviction, sentencing, evidence and application of the law during the court proceedings.
The indictment, which accused Li of taking bribes and abusing power, was based on "clear facts and solid, abundant evidence," and Li should serve his term for the multiple offenses, prosecutors said.
However, they also recommended a lenient or reduced sentence based on the fact that Li fully confessed to the crime of taking bribes and voluntarily gave more details unknown to law enforcement at the time. They also recommended leniency because most of his illicit funds and property have been recovered.
Li cooperated with investigators and contributed to the investigation, prosecutors said.
The defense pled guilty to both crimes, but requested a lighter sentence.
In his final statement, Li said the charges against him are true and the judicial department conducted a fair investigation based on the facts and without bias.
"Life can not be relived. Everyone has to pay for what one does. The crimes I committed have seriously harmed the interests of the Party and people and have left a vile impact on the Party's image and the credibility of public servants. I feel terribly ashamed and very regretful," he said.
Li said he regrets having disappointed the Party and people and betraying the oath he took when joining the CPC.
He asked the court to give him a chance to "repent and reform himself."
The presiding judge said both sides had fully voiced their opinions on the evidence. A collegial panel will discuss the case, decide in accordance with the law and announce the verdict later.
The hearing began at about 8:30 a.m. and lasted approximately a day, with an adjournment at noon.
More than 60 people, including deputies to people's congresses, political advisors, court supervisors, journalists and ordinary citizens, observed the trial.
Yang Jie, a local civil servant who observed the trial, told Xinhua that the hearing was orderly and highlighted not only the authority of the law but also the respect for the defendant's legal rights.
"Through this trial, I am more confident that the rule of law will be fully realized in our country," said Zhu Min, a local political advisor who observed the hearing.
Investigation of the case was completed by the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the case was transferred to Xianning People's Procuratorate on Feb. 11 for prosecution.
Prosecutors filed the charges on March 19 to the court, which formed the collegial panel. The court sent Li a copy of the statement of charges and informed him of his legal rights.
The collegial panel held a pretrial meeting of prosecutors, the defendant and defense attorneys to hear opinions.
