Former Heilongjiang official receives 13-year sentence for bribery

Qu Min, the former vice-chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined 3 million yuan ($418,536) for the crime of bribery, according to a report by China Central Television on Wednesday.

During a public trial at the Wenzhou Intermediate People's Court in Zhejiang province on Wednesday, the court declared that what he gained from his crimes had been turned over to the state treasury, and any shortfall will continue to be pursued.

According to the court, from 2001 to 2022, Qu took advantage of his various positions to help companies and people in such matters as enterprise management, project contracting and post placement. In exchange, he accepted property and money totaling over 68.43 million yuan directly or through relatives.

The court said that while the amount of bribes received was large, he was given a lenient punishment because Qu confessed to his crimes, pleaded guilty, showed remorse and returned his illegal gains.