An official of the Chinese Communist Party was today sentenced to life in prison for corruption.
Chen Jianghe, former executive deputy secretary general of the Henan Provincial Committee of the (CPC), was convicted of taking bribes, possessing large amounts of unexplained property and abuse of power, state news agency Xinhua said.
Chen, 60, took bribes of over 7.26 million yuan (USD 1.2 million) and USD 8,000 in cash and five wrist watches worth of 315,900 Hong Kong dollars during different assignments in the province, said a statement issued by the Nanyang City Intermediate People's Court.
He was also found guilty of forging documents to help his lovers, family members and friends to buy nine apartments at below-market prices, saving a total of 1.93 million yuan for them, the report said.
Chen said he would file an appeal.
China last year launched a crack down on corrupt party officials.
