Former senior political advisor faces criminal investigation

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into Han Xiancong, a former senior provincial political advisor, over allegations of graft, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday.

On the same day, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) decided to expel Han from the CPC and strip him of public service.

The CCDI put Han under investigation for suspected discipline and law violations in July and removed him from the post of vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The CCDI's investigation found evidence indicating that Han may have abused his power by securing profits for others and accepting "a large amount" in bribes, causing serious damage to state property.

He also broke Party discipline by accepting invitations to luxurious dinners funded by public money, the CCDI statement said.

The SPP opened a criminal investigation into Han after the CCDI handed over the case.

The SPP has placed him under "compulsory measures," which, according to China's Criminal Procedure Law, include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention and arrest.

The SPP did not specify the measures it had taken.