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Sentence upheld in China liquor bribery case

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-27 11:37
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BEIJING - A Chinese court upheld Friday the suspended death sentence issued to the former general manager of the iconic Moutai brand liquor, state media reported.

Qiao Hong, 56, had been convicted in January of accepting 13 million yuan ($1.9 million) in bribes and possessing 8.2 million yuan worth of property for which he couldn't account, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

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The provincial court in Guizhou province upheld the earlier verdict issued by the city of Zunyi after Qiao appealed. Such sentences are usually commuted to life in prison after two years with good behavior.

Moutai liquor is often served at state banquets and presented to foreign dignitaries, making it the most famous among the class of Chinese sorghum spirits known as "baijiu."

Limited availability means it can often only be obtained at a premium, providing ample opportunities for graft among those who control supply.
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