Investigations into disgraced rail minister Liu Zhijun and other "related cases" have resulted in the recovery of almost 350 flats and more than 900 million yuan (HK$1.14 billion), according to a Beijing newspaper affiliated with Xinhua. Citing indictments in Liu's corruption trial, the Beijing Times said law-enforcement officers had recovered the assets during their investigations. Yesterday's report did not mention further details of the related cases. The total amount of assets recovered is much larger than the amount of bribes that prosecutors in Liu's graft case have accuse him of taking. On trial at Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court on Sunday, Liu was accused of using his position of influence to help business associates win promotions and project contracts, and of accepting 64.6 million yuan in unspecified bribes between 1986 and 2011, according to an indictment reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. But the Times reported yesterday that in other cases related to Liu's abuse of his official power, officials had also seized large amounts of cash in various currencies. These include 795.5 million yuan, HK$85 million, US$235,000 and 2.2 million euro (HK$22.5 million). Also recovered were other assets, such as shares, vehicles, flats and other valuables, according to the report. The report did not explain why those assets were not included in the charges against Liu. Liu, who has admitted the charges, could the face the death penalty or life in jail if found guilty. However, Liu's defence lawyer, Qian Lieyang , has said that prosecutors had suggested a more lenient sentence because Liu had confessed during his detention to all of his crimes and had helped recover most of the ill-gotten gains.
