China weighs tougher penalties on officials' unexplained assets
25/8/2008 17:16
Government officials with large assets from unidentified sources will face
tougher penalties under the draft amendment of the Criminal Law that began
making its way through China's top legislature today.
The draft stipulates
that government officials who can't explain the source of their assets will face
a maximum jail term of 10 years, double the current penalty.
Retired
officials, relatives and close friends of officials will also face criminal
penalties if they take advantage of the officials' positions to get bribes or
make improper profits, under the draft.
The Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started a five-day
session today to review draft laws and amendments on criminal law and food
safety, among other issues.
It is necessary to give heavier penalties to
officials abusing their power for personal gain, as they are betraying the
public interest, said Li Shishi, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legal
Affairs Commission, at today's meeting.
Xinhua
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