Mainland Chinese researchers arrested on suspicion of embezzlement
Top cloning scientist among those suspected of pilfering state research money
Mainland authorities have arrested three university professors, including a leading scientist in transgenic research, and a PhD student on suspicion of embezzling state research funds, the Communist Party's discipline watchdog said.
Four other professors were also among seven from five universities who were accused of swindling research funds to the tune of more than 25 million yuan (HK$31 million), the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said on its website on Friday.
Two of them had already received sentences, according to state media.
Li Ning, of the Chinese Agricultural University and a member of the elite Chinese Academy of Engineering, was suspected of manoeuvring state funds in his research project on the cultivation of new transgene biological species, and was arrested. He is one of the mainland's leading animal-cloning researchers.
Also arrested were two Beijing University of Chinese Medicine professors, Li Pengtao and his wife Wang Xinyue, whose dealings in their research of new drugs were found to be dubious.
The arrests came after the National Audit Office suspected the seven professors of embezzlement, the statement said.
It said two of them had already been sentenced, while one of them had received administrative punishment. One was not charged.