Prosecutors file 7,500 corruption cases

More than 7,500 corruption cases were filed by prosecutors across the country during the first three months of this year, most of them involving bribes of over 50,000 yuan ($8,000).

A total of 9,636 people were placed under investigation on corruption charges in the 7,556 first-quarter cases, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate said on Monday.

The agency said 6,649 cases with more than 100,000 yuan of embezzlement or bribes accounted for 88 percent of the total number of cases.

Among the officials being investigated, 156 were at or above the bureau level and 907 were at or above the division level, accounting for 9.4 percent of the total number of the people being held on corruption charges during the first quarter.

The procuratorate at all levels have stepped up efforts in combating corruption in sectors concerning public interest, including social security, public health and education. Nearly 6,000 were held in these sectors, according to the top procuratorate.

From January to March, 3,265 individuals were prosecuted on corruption charges.

During the same period of time, the courts ruled that 4,384 suspects were guilty in a total of 3,565 corruption cases brought to the courts.