A provincial court has upheld the death sentence of a tobacco
official in east China's Fujian Province who was convicted of
embezzling millions of yuan, local authorities said Tuesday.
The court heard that Xu Ximing, former director of Tobacco
Monopoly Bureau in Sanming City of Fujian, embezzled public funds
worth more than 155 million yuan (about US$20 million). He was also
convicted of taking bribes worth about 3.4 million yuan
(US$430,000).
Although Xu admitted his crimes, he failed to return more than
5.68 million yuan (US$730,000).
The court declined to disclose further information.
The death sentence now goes to the Supreme People's Court for
review.
Since January 1 all death sentences must receive the approval of
the Supreme People's Court.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)