A top Chinese general was sentenced to life in prison on corruption charges Monday, becoming the highest-ranking military official in the country to be convicted of the crime since 1949.
The South China Morning Post and other outlets report that 74-year-old Guo Boxiong, who previously served as vice-chairman of the body that controls China’s People’s Liberation Army, faced criminal charges for accepting millions of dollars in bribes and using his status to help promote others. He was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party a year ago; he has now been stripped of his title as general and his assets have been seized.
According to China’s official Xinhua news agency, Guo pleaded guilty to the charges and would not appeal.
Guo’s conviction is the latest in a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in China spearheaded by President Xi Jinping.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com