Former Chinese Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu Sentenced to Death with Reprieve in First Instance for Corruption
Former Chinese Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu have been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in the first instance by a military court for corruption. Both will face life imprisonment without parole. This applies China's unique system of suspended death sentences.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 19:22
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 7) According to Xinhua News Agency, former Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were today sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by a military court in the first instance for alleged corruption. They will face life imprisonment without parole.
The report states that the military court on May 7 legally pronounced judgment in the bribery case of former Central Military Commission member, former State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. Wei Fenghe was found guilty of bribery and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal property. After the two-year reprieve period for the death penalty expires and is legally commuted to life imprisonment, he will face lifelong incarceration with no commutation or parole.
According to the report, the military court on May 7 legally pronounced judgment in the bribery and accepting bribes case of former Central Military Commission member, former State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu. Li Shangfu was found guilty of bribery and accepting bribes, with multiple offenses being punished concurrently, and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal property. After the two-year reprieve period for the death penalty expires and is legally commuted to life imprisonment, he will face lifelong incarceration with no commutation or parole.
"Death with reprieve" (死緩) is the abbreviation for a suspended death sentence, a unique penal enforcement system in China. Unlike general probation, during the reprieve period of a death with reprieve, convicts are still held in custody and imprisoned. During this period, if the convict does not intentionally commit a crime, the sentence is commuted to life imprisonment. (Edited by: Yang Shen-ru / Tang Sheng-yang)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 7) According to Xinhua News Agency, former Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were today sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by a military court in the first instance for alleged corruption. They will face life imprisonment without parole.
The report states that the military court on May 7 legally pronounced judgment in the bribery case of former Central Military Commission member, former State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. Wei Fenghe was found guilty of bribery and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal property. After the two-year reprieve period for the death penalty expires and is legally commuted to life imprisonment, he will face lifelong incarceration with no commutation or parole.
According to the report, the military court on May 7 legally pronounced judgment in the bribery and accepting bribes case of former Central Military Commission member, former State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu. Li Shangfu was found guilty of bribery and accepting bribes, with multiple offenses being punished concurrently, and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal property. After the two-year reprieve period for the death penalty expires and is legally commuted to life imprisonment, he will face lifelong incarceration with no commutation or parole.
"Death with reprieve" (死緩) is the abbreviation for a suspended death sentence, a unique penal enforcement system in China. Unlike general probation, during the reprieve period of a death with reprieve, convicts are still held in custody and imprisoned. During this period, if the convict does not intentionally commit a crime, the sentence is commuted to life imprisonment. (Edited by: Yang Shen-ru / Tang Sheng-yang)