Communist Party puts graft interrogators on tighter leash

The Communist Party has placed tighter restrictions on interrogators carrying out internal investigations of cadres suspected of graft, in a bid to better scrutinise the controversial process, observers say.

Authorities can hold a suspect for a maximum of 180 days, according to new rules adopted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). Physical methods of interrogation, such as shouting, hitting and torture, already prohibited by law cannot be used. Interrogations must be videotaped, and the suspect’s family notified within 24 hours of the start of detention.

The party’s system for investigating members, known as shuanggui, falls outside of mainland criminal law, and critics have long said the lack of supervision fosters abuse and gives cadres scant protection against forced confessions. But the party has increasingly relied on the system to bring prosecutions under President Xi Jinping’s widespread corruption crackdown. Statements made by suspects during the sessions and evidence uncovered can form the basis for formal prosecution.

The rules require officers to carry out investigations in much the same way as law enforcement authorities must handle criminal detentions, which can last no longer than three months in most cases and require notification of a suspect’s family within 24 hours.

Under the new rules, the standard period of detention for cadres by CCDI agents is three months, although the detention can be extended once, to 180 days.