Former security official pleads guilty to bribery

Sun Lijun, a former vice-minister of public security, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes, manipulating the securities market and illegally possessing firearms, during a court trial in Changchun, Jilin province, on Friday.

The Changchun procuratorate was tasked with handling the case and filed a public lawsuit against Sun at the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

Sun, 53, was charged with taking bribes totaling 646 million yuan ($96.3 million) and illegally possessing two guns, according to a court release.

Prosecutors said that from 2001 to April 2020, Sun had capitalized on his positions and influence, including as head of the general operations division in the Shanghai Municipal People's Government foreign affairs office, deputy head of the general office of the Ministry of Public Security, and vice-minister of public security, for the benefit of others and to manipulate the securities market, acts for which he received bribes and real estate in return.

Prosecutors added that in 2018, Sun manipulated share prices and trading volume by instructing relevant personnel to buy and sell shares in bulk quantities, which led to serious market abnormalities.

In his final statement in court, Sun pleaded guilty and showed remorse. A verdict will be given at a later date, according to the court.

Sun was placed under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and national laws by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission in 2020.

He was expelled from the Party and removed from office last year.