Former Chinese justice minister expelled from Communist Party, accused of corruption

Fu Zhenghua was also dismissed from public office and his case has been transferred to state prosecutors

Anti-graft watchdog alleges he ‘traded power for personal gain and accepted huge amounts of bribes’

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The anti-corruption body said Fu Zhenghua had lost his “party spirit and principles”. Photo: Simon Song

Published: 6:30am, 1 Apr 2022

Former justice minister Fu Zhenghua has been expelled from the Communist Party and dismissed from public office, the anti-corruption watchdog said on Thursday.

Fu, 67, had been detained in September and placed under investigation for corruption amid a crackdown on senior law enforcement and judicial figures. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Fu had lost his “party spirit and principles” and alleged he had colluded with Sun Lijun, the former vice-minister of public security who is awaiting trial on corruption charges.

The CCDI statement said Fu had paid lip service to party orders and edicts while indulging in a decadent lifestyle and engaging in superstitious activities.

It said Fu had “made insidious comments about the party’s major policies and directions” and “had for a long time made friends with a number of political liars, thus creating very bad influence”, without elaborating.

“For a long period of time, [Fu] violated the regulations regarding the possession and carrying of firearms … and [he] had no respect for the law,” the statement said.

The CCDI also accused Fu of taking advantage of his positions, saying he had “encroached on and occupied several government properties and cars for his own and his family’s use”.