Former officials charged with graft

Three former ministerial-level officials, including a former vice-governor, have been charged with bribery and other crimes, China's top prosecuting authority said on Wednesday.

"During interrogations, prosecutors informed them of their right to appeal over suspected illegal evidence collection, and they fully listened to the defense statements provided by their lawyers, to protect their legitimate rights," according to a statement from the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Zhou Chunyu, 50, a former vice-governor of Anhui province, has been charged by prosecutors in Jinan, Shandong province with bribery, concealing deposits in foreign bank accounts, abusing power and insider trading. The case has been filed with the city's intermediate people's court.