By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
CHONGQING, China – Wen Qiang, a 55-year old former Chinese police chief, was sentenced to death in a gang corruption case for taking about $2.4 million from Chongqing crime syndicates in return for his promise to provide legal protection. Within 24 hours of Wen’s sentencing, a 54-year old banker, Wang Yi, was also sentenced to death for taking bribes.
Wen’s story has been the biggest in a series of related gang prosecutions in the south-western city of Chongqing. Wang’s tale, though a bit less sensational, has caused a similar reaction now that his conviction and punishment have been handed down.
In Wen’s case, back in August 2009, investigators were looking for 469 suspects from 14 different gangs. Even then, when Wen was acting as the director of Chongqing’s judicial bureau and a former police chief in the city, he was under internal investigation for suspicion of protecting criminals. In late summer of 2009 when intense investigation was instigated, Liu Guanglei, a member of the standing committee of the city’s Party Committee and team leader of the operation, told the Chongqing Evening News that gangs were involved in “prostitution, gambling, drugs and guns”, and that their crimes included murder and kidnapping.
Wen was detained last August and accused of protecting gang operations masterminded by his sister-in-law, Xie Caiping, 46, known as the “godmother” of the Chongqing underworld. Xie was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in November for running illegal casinos and bribing government officials.
The death ruling by the Chongqing No 5 intermediate people’s court passed sentence on Wen. When testifying about the money and its origin, Wen told the court much of the money he had accepted was for “birthday and new year” gifts. In addition to being found guilty of taking bribes, Wen was also found guilty of raping a university student in 2007 and 2008, according to a news report by Chongqing News. Wen remained silent throughout the trial on Wednesday and kept a straight face when the death sentence was delivered. He can appeal the sentence, but it is not likely that the court will reverse.
However, Wen was not alone – the court found a ring of corrupt Chongqing officials. More than 3,000 people, including 14 high-ranking government and police officials, have been arrested. Chongqing’s Communist party boss, Bo Xilai, said last month the crackdown was not over, and 500 or 600 cases “still haven’t been broken.” Even Wen’s wife was sentenced. She received eight years in prison for taking bribes in exchange for protecting gang members, according to Chongqing News.
In a comment to China Daily, Pan Jinggui, a law professor at the Chongqing-based Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said, “The verdict has sounded an alarm to all police officials – cherish, don’t abuse, the powers given to you.” He went on to say that, “It also reflects the government’s determination to fight corruption and has restored the public’s confidence in the judiciary.”
For more information, please see:
The Guardian – Former Chinese police chief sentenced to death in gangland case – 17 April 2010
The Times of India – 2 top officials get death over graft in China – 17 April 2010
China Daily – Chongqing hails death for biggest fish– 17 April 2010
