Ally of ex-security chief gets seven years

A close friend of China's former security chief was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday for illegally transferring or selling land and offering bribes.

A statement posted on the micro blog of Yichang Intermediate People's Court in Hubei province confirmed that it had jailed Cao Yongzheng and fined him 73 million yuan ($11 million).

Cao said he respected the judgment and would not appeal to a higher court, the statement said.