Rule of law 'not respected' in Zhou Yongkang probe, sources say

The Communist Party leadership intends to use the inquiry into former security tsar Zhou Yongkang and his associates as proof of China's move towards the rule of law at the upcoming fourth plenum.

The investigation into one of the most powerful members of the political elite, along with his network, is being sold as one that will follow established legal procedures and hold up to critical scrutiny.

But anti-graft officers questioning some suspects continue to employ old-school tactics of coercion and threats, and the process remains politically charged, sources with links to the suspects and the investigators say.

"The central authorities may want to investigate the cases linked to Zhou under the code of rule of law, but in practice, the junior-level officials and investigators … handle the cases as political tasks assigned by their superiors," a source said.

They were more concerned with ensuring the suspects were found guilty than ensuring a fair process, the source added.

The questioning, which began nearly two years ago, has been handled by the party's anti-graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Sources say one common opening line in such interrogations is: "You have sided with the wrong [political] camp, so tell me what you know."