China's disgraced security tsar Zhou Yongkang jailed for life over graft
Party broke long-held taboo by prosecuting a member of its inner circle, analysts say, but by escaping death Zhou Yongkang got off lightly
The mainland's former security tsar Zhou Yongkang was yesterday sentenced to life in jail - the most senior official to receive such a heavy sentence since the Cultural Revolution, although analysts say he was treated relatively favourably.
The Tianjin No. 1 Intermediate People's Court tried Zhou in secret last month on charges of taking bribes, abuse of power and intentionally leaking state secrets, Xinhua reported. He was also stripped of his political rights for life and his personal assets confiscated, it said.
Analysts said the Communist Party had broken a long-held taboo against prosecuting members of its inner circle and that by avoiding the death sentence, Zhou got off lightly.
Central China Television showed a short clip of the trial on its evening newscast, in which a white-haired Zhou is seen standing and listening to the court's guilty verdict. A judge asked: "Have you heard this clearly?" Without any visible emotion, Zhou replied: "I've heard clearly."
He said he accepted the verdict and would not appeal. He also said his crimes had harmed the party and admitted to his guilt.
Zhou, 72, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee - the highest decision-making body in the country - was formally charged in April. The trial took place on May 22. It was not open to the public because his case involved the disclosure of state secrets, Xinhua said.
On the charge of taking bribes, Zhou was sentenced to life imprisonment, had his political rights withdrawn and assets confiscated.
