A Chinese military court sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve for graft on Thursday. Both men were also former Central Military Commission members.
The court convicted Wei Fenghe of accepting bribes and Li Shangfu of accepting and offering bribes. Both received life-long deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all personal property. After the reprieve period, their sentences will convert to life imprisonment with no possibility of further commutation or parole.
Wei served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023, while Li held the post briefly from March to October 2023. Investigations into both began in 2023, leading to their expulsion from the Communist Party and removal of military ranks in June 2024.
The sentences mark the most severe penalties for senior military officers since China's anti-corruption campaign started in 2012, according to reports from Xinhua and the South China Morning Post.
