Tax officer convicted of taking bribes appeals sentence

The former vice-head of the Beijing Chongwen District Local Taxation Bureau who accepted 1 million yuan in bribes from a real estate developer, has appealed to the City's No 1 Intermediate Court for a lenient sentence.

Zhu Fengzhen, was charged with taking bribes totaling 1 million yuan ($146,412) and was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment by Xuanwu District Court.

Guo Jingxia, press officer for City No 1 Intermediate Court, told METRO Zhu appealed for a lenient sentence, saying, "as a civil servant, I received huge bribes from others, I confessed my crime, but considering my confession and good attitude, and my old parents and child, I appeal for a lighter sentence."