China’s former minister sentenced to death with reprieve for bribery

Tang Renjian, former minister of agriculture and rural affairs, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery, a court in Changchun, Jilin province, announced on Sunday.

Tang has also been deprived of political rights for life, with confiscation of all of his personal assets. His illicit gains and related interests have been ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, according to the ruling made by the Changchun Intermediate People’s Court.

In China, suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison if the criminal commits no new offenses during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good behavior.

The court said it found Tang, from 2007 to 2024, made use of his work positions, including governor of Gansu province and the minister of agriculture and rural affairs, to seek benefits for some individuals and departments in various matters, such as business operation, project contracting and job adjustment.

In return, Tang accepted bribes worth 268 million yuan ($37.57 million), the court said. (AsiaNews)