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2nd Ld-Writethru-China Focus: Zhou Yongkang's son sentenced to 18 years in prison

Xinhua, June 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

A court in central China's Hubei Province on Wednesday sentenced Zhou Bin, son of Zhou Yongkang, to 18 years in prison for taking bribes and illegal business operations.

Zhou Bin was also fined 350.2 million yuan (53 million U.S. dollars) and all of his illegal assets will be confiscated, according to the verdict of Yichang City Intermediate People's Court.

Zhou Bin and his father Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, sought benefits for others by taking advantage of Zhou Yongkang's posts and accepted property to the value of 98 million yuan.

In collaboration with others, Zhou Bin used his father's influence to obtain advantages for others through other officials and accepted property to the amount of 124 million yuan.

Zhou Bin violated state regulations by doing business in restricted items, disturbing market order, the verdict said.

However, it was noted that Zhou Bin had turned himself in, repented, confessed his crimes and returned his illegal gains "in an active manner," all grounds for leniency.

The court thus sentenced Zhou Bin to 13 years for taking bribes, eight years for taking bribes through the use of influence, and three years for illegal business operations, according to the verdict.

Concurrent terms gave Zhou Bin a final jail term of 18 years.

A statement from the court said Zhou Bin "accepted the verdict and will not to appeal," after the court handed down the verdict in the presence of lawmakers, political advisors and the press.

Litigation rights and interests of Zhou Bin and his attorney have been well protected, it added.

In July 2014, the CPC Central Committee announced a decision to put Zhou Yongkang under investigation, and he was expelled from the CPC in December 2014.

On June 11, 2015, Zhou Yongkang was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes, abusing his power and deliberately disclosing state secrets. Endi