Sex video official appeals in Chongqing

CHONGQING - A former official embroiled in a high-profile sex video scandal appealed against his 13-year jail sentence for bribery in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Wednesday.

Lei Zhengfu, former secretary of Chongqing's Beibei District Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), submitted the appeal after consulting with family members and his lawyer, the Chongqing No 1 Intermediate People's Court said.

In Lei's complaint, he said that he had objections to the court's judgement on its findings of fact, acceptance of evidence, the application of law and procedural protection.

The 55-year-old former official appeared in a sex video that was posted online in November. He was subsequently removed from his post and detained by police on Feb 1. In May, Lei was expelled from the CPC.

Lei used his position to obtain benefits for others and accepted bribes totalling more than 3.16 million yuan. His activities constituted bribery, according to a court statement on June 28.

Lei was also fined 300,000 yuan ($48,554), according to the court's ruling.