Former top military man to face court

Gen. Guo Zhenggang, was placed under formal investigation for corruption and unspecified criminal activity.

Guo Boxiong, who was a vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission until he stepped down in 2012, has been accused of bribery and abuse of power and expelled from the ruling Communist Party, the government said on Thursday night.

“There will be absolutely no appeasement, absolutely no soft- handedness”, a Party document said. He is also accused of collecting bribes.

The punishment of Guo demonstrates the firm determination of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi Jinping as general secretary, to strictly govern the Party and armed forces in line with the law, the statement said.

An investigation found that Guo took advantage of his post to seek promotions and other benefits for others, and accepted bribes personally or through his family.

Although the monetary amount or scale of the bribes were not given, a statement released by the Politburo said Guo’s crimes were grave and had a “vile impact”.

The Council’s decision to place Guo under criminal inquiry comes just before the 88th anniversary of the PLA.

The decision to prosecute General Guo was made after today’s meeting of the party which reviewed and approved a report by the CMC disciplinary inspection authority on Guo’s investigation.

The PLA Daily branded the older Guo a “bad example” in an editorial Friday.

Guo’s wife and his son’s wife are reported to have also illegally used their positions to amass wealth for themselves. Overseas Chinese language media have for months been carrying rumors that the retired general was being detained and held under “shuanggui”-the much-feared Party interrogation procedure-before the official announcement in April”.

He is one of the most senior military figures to be toppled in the anti-graft drive overseen by President Xi Jinping.

More than 50 high-ranking military officials have been arrested under the anti-graft campaign since 2012.

Earlier Gen Xu Caihou, who was the also the former Vice Chairman of CMC, was stripped of all ranks and faced trial. Xu died of bladder cancer in March and his case did not reach trial.

Xi has been campaigning against corruption for 3 years, and the military has been a particular focus.