Former mayor in China sentenced to death after 13.5 tons of gold found in his home

Former mayor in China sentenced to death after 13.5 tons of gold found in his home

In China, the former mayor of Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, and a senior party official has been sentenced to death on charges of corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and abuse of office.

According to investigators, in 2019 authorities discovered and confiscated 13.5 tons of gold bars and 23 tons of cash from his residence. The total value of the seized assets was estimated at 286 billion yuan. His luxury properties abroad and expensive cars were also uncovered.

Following a six-year investigation, it was proven that the official had received large bribes in exchange for facilitating state contracts and land deals. The court imposed the highest possible punishment — the death penalty.