Ling Jihua, former right-hand man of ex-president, charged with graft, abuse of power, obtaining state secrets
Former rising political star expected to face court in Tianjin over alleged crimes during his time at the heart of the party
Former presidential aide Ling Jihua has been formally charged with taking bribes, illegally obtaining state secrets and abuse of power, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.
Ling, 59, the former chief of staff of ex-president Hu Jintao, was expected to face trial in the Tianjin First Intermediate People’s Court, the report said, citing the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. It did not say when the trial would take place.
The indictment comes after the authorities spent more than 10 months investigating the former rising star and influential politician.
Prosecutors alleged Ling took a massive amount of bribes and obtained state secrets while he worked at the General Office of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, the United Front Work Department and the country’s top political advisory body. They also alleged that Ling’s abuse of power caused grave damage to public assets, the country and the people.
Ling is among several serving and retired state leaders to fall from grace in President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on corruption.
China removes Ling Jihua, ex-Hu Jintao aide, from Communist Party’s United Front Work Department job
His former role as Hu’s chief of staff and long stint in the party’s nerve centre gave him a great deal of political clout.
