PLA general held after 37m yuan seized, but takedown hints at revenge plot against prominent brother
Military graft inspectors have detained Liao Xijun, sources say, but the investigation might be the work of former rivals of his sibling, Liao Xilong, who cleaned up the logistics department
Military graft-busters have detained the younger brother of a PLA officer who helped bring down a high-profile officer on bribery and embezzlement charges, according to several sources close to the fighting force.
Major General Liao Xijun was detained after inspectors seized tens of millions of yuan, among other valuables, in raids on properties he owns in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou, they said.
His elder brother is Liao Xilong, a retired general who was instrumental in President Xi Jinping’s initial wave of takedowns of corrupt power bases within the military.
There has been speculation the latest move could be blowback from lingering elements within those factions, according to one source.
Investigators raided three properties that Liao Xijun owns in Guiyang, and seized 37 million yuan (HK$43.8 million) in cash, along with gold and other items, the sources said. Provincial military officers were briefed on the matter on Friday last week.
Liao became deputy commander of the Guizhou military command in 2008 and was promoted to his current rank a year later. The elder brother has been credited with helping to take down Gu Junshan, a former deputy logistics chief who was given a suspended death sentence last year for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power, among other charges.