Probe of village official deepens

The investigation of Lin Zulian, former top official of Wukan village in Shanwei, is continuing after Lin admitted to have taken commissions for the construction of a rubber running track at his village school.

Lin, 72, was detained on June 17 for allegedly using his power for personal gain and accepting large sums of bribes when he was in office.

After Lin was detained, he admitted to having taken bribes in land sales and construction projects, including commissions valued at 80,000 yuan ($12,300) in the construction of a rubber running track at his village school.

According to public procurators, Lin once leased more than 20 hectares of land in his village at a very low price without any discussion with other village officials and representatives.

Initial investigations have indicated that Lin had accepted bribes valued between 500,000 and 600,000 yuan.

The Shanwei intermediate people's procuratorate is investigating further.

Lin is said to have purchased commercial houses in Shenzhen where property prices have become one of the most expensive in the mainland, insiders said.

Lin has been considered the life and soul of Wukan village, a coastal fishing village in the eastern part of Guangdong province. Lin was elected as Party chief and director of Wukan village committee in 2012. He was re-elected as the Party and administrative head of the village in 2014.

Wukan came under the media spotlight at home and abroad in 2011 when villagers rallied for over four months to protest allegations of financing violations, land grabs and corruption against the then-village head.

The rallies finally came to an end following an agreement made after face-to-face talks between villagers and senior Guangdong provincial officials in 2012.

Contact the writers at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/25/2016 page5)