HENGSHUI, China, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A former Beijing vice mayor has been given a suspended death sentence for taking more than $1 million in bribes tied to Olympic Games contracts.
But Mo Shaoping, the attorney for the convicted former official, Liu Zhihua, said Sunday an appeal may be in the works, The Washington Post reported.
"It's necessary to punish corruption because it's an issue of the government's survival," Mo said. "But the punishment should be fair and equal."
Chinese media said Liu, 59, could be spared the death penalty if he exhibits good behavior for the next two years, the Post reported.
Liu oversaw construction, real estate, sports and traffic projects for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games until being dismissed in 2006 for alleged corruption and immoral behavior. Chinese media reported he lived a decadent lifestyle that drew the attention of top government officials.
The former Beijing official was sentenced Saturday in Intermediate People's Court of Hengshui. With good behavior, his sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment.
