BEIJING: A total of 31,555 Chinese officials were convicted of work-related crimes in 2013, 23% of whom were given prison terms in excess of five years, a court official said on Friday.
Over 680 held high positions (above county level) and nearly 70% of them were sentenced to at least five years, said Pei Xianding, director of the second criminal court under the Supreme People’s Court.
Work-related crimes included embezzlement and bribery; dereliction of duty; infringement of citizens’ personal rights and democratic rights.
The number of corrupt officials dropped slightly, perhaps as a result of the anti-corruption campaign which has been running since late 2012. Officials are no longer so free to take advantage of their positions, Pei said during a webcast interview. (PTI)
