Beijing: A Chinese court sentenced former Governor of Shanxi province Jin Xiangjun to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting more than 148 million yuan ($20 million) in bribes, state media reported Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Xinyang Intermediate People's Court in Henan province also deprived Jin of his political rights for life and ordered the confiscation of all his personal property. The court mandated that the proceeds from Jin's bribery and any interest earned be turned over to the national treasury.

The court, which held a public hearing in the case in June, ruled that Jin was guilty of bribery involving a large sum and that his actions caused significant losses to state and public interests, justifying the death penalty. However, it granted Jin a two-year reprieve due to mitigating factors, including his confession post-apprehension, disclosure of undisclosed bribery offenses, guilty plea, and remorse.

The court also noted that some illicit gains had been recovered. Jin was expelled from the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for severe breaches of party discipline and laws in October last year. As a former deputy chief of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee, Jin was found to have exploited his position for personal gain, accepting substantial bribes and gifts in exchange for favors in business operations and project contracts.

Separately, Wang Xiangxi, a former emergency management minister, faced expulsion from the CPC and dismissal from public office for serious disciplinary violations, as announced by China's top anti-graft agency on Tuesday. The investigation revealed that Wang breached party organizational rules by inappropriately seeking benefits for others in official promotions.