China's corrupt fugitives offered leniency

Corrupt officials and suspects in economic crimes who have fled China should give themselves up if they want leniency, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Friday.

The move is an opportunity for fugitives to be treated with mercy and show contrition, said the MPS statement. Suspects abroad who opt to give themselves up before December 1 and offer true accounts of their crimes will be eligible for lesser punishments. Additional forebearance will be shown to those who are active in redressing their victims losses, provide accurate information on the crimes of others, or assist authorities in their pursuit of other fugitives.

On the other hand, suspects who do not surrender before the deadline will open themselves to the most severe punishments in the judicial armory.

According to the MPS statement, Chinese police have seized 128 economic crime suspects in an international manhunt since July 22, when Fox Hunt 2014 was launched to "block the last route of retreat" for corrupt officials.

The announcement was jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the MPS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.