Zhou Derui bribery case first-instance verdict announced, sentenced to 14 years

On July 13, the Intermediate People's Court of Datong City, Shanxi Province, handed down a firstinstance verdict in the bribery case of Zhou Derui, former member of the Standing Committee of the Tianjin Municipal Committee and former head of the Organization Department. The court found him guilty of bribery, sentenced him to 14 years in prison, and imposed a fine of 4 million yuan; his illicit gains and the income derived from them will be recovered in accordance with the law and turned over to the state treasury. The court found that between 2000 and 2025, Zhou Derui used the convenience of the positions he held in multiple places in Hunan and Tianjin, as well as the convenience afforded by his authority and status, to provide assistance in matters such as business operations, project contracting, and job adjustments, and illegally accepted property worth the equivalent of more than 43.19 million yuan. The court stated that after Zhou Derui was brought to justice, he truthfully confessed, and proactively disclosed most of the bribery facts that the investigating authorities had not yet learned of. At the same time, he admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and actively returned the illicit gains. All related property has now been recovered, so he was given a lighter punishment in accordance with the law. The case was publicly heard on April 17 this year, and Zhou Derui stated in court that he admitted guilt and expressed remorse.