Ex-Shanghai prosecutor sentenced to 13 years for bribery

A Chinese court sentenced former Shanghai chief prosecutor Zhang Bencai to 13 years in prison for bribe-taking on Tuesday, highlighting the country's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

The Xiamen Intermediate People's Court in Fujian province said Zhang abused his positions, including head of the Supreme People's Procuratorate's general office and Shanghai procuratorate chief, to benefit others in land development, business, and job transfers between 2005 and 2020.

Zhang directly or indirectly accepted more than 48.32 million yuan ($6.8 million) in bribes, the court said. His illegal gains and their proceeds will be confiscated, and he faces a 4 million yuan fine.

While acknowledging Zhang's full confession, additional disclosures, remorse, and active return of funds, the court emphasized that the sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.