Li Ning, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at China Agricultural University (CAU), stood trial Monday at the Intermediate People's Court of Songyuan in Northeast China's Jilin province for embezzlement.
Zhang Lei, an associate researcher at CAU, also stood trial for embezzlement.
The prosecutor accused Li and Zhang of taking advantage of the positions of managing the funds for scientific research projects to embezzle over 37.56 million yuan ($5.38 million) from 2008 to 2012.
Embezzled money was transferred to companies controlled by Li and Zhang to invest in other companies, according to the prosecutor.
The trial was attended by the defendants' relatives, legislators, political advisors, scholars, press, and members of the public.
The sentence will be announced at a later date.
