The Intermediate People’s Court of Dalian has handed down a death sentence to He Zehua, the former deputy chief of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA), on charges of accepting bribes. This verdict is reported by Xinhua and marks a severe penalty which includes a two-year reprieve, potentially commutable to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or further commutation.
Details of the Corruption Case
The court’s decision comes after findings that He Zehua exploited his authoritative roles from 1998 to 2023. During this period, he used his positions, initially at local tobacco monopoly agencies and later as the STMA’s deputy chief, to provide illicit assistance in business operations, project contracting, and personnel promotions. In return, He accepted bribes amounting to more than RMB 943 million (approximately $132.6 million) in both money and gifts.
Legal Repercussions and Asset Seizure
In addition to the death sentence, He Zehua has been stripped of his political rights for life, and all his personal property has been confiscated. The court noted that He’s cooperation with the investigation and the full recovery of the illegal gains were factors considered in the ruling.
Wider Anti-Corruption Efforts within the STMA
This case is part of a broader anti-corruption initiative within the STMA. Earlier actions included the arrest of former STMA head Ling Chengxing and the announcement of an ongoing investigation into Xu Ying, the STMA Deputy Head. These measures indicate a significant crackdown on corruption within China’s tobacco industry, signaling strong governmental resolve to maintain integrity and legality in its operations.
