An ex-chief of the law enforcement authorities in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region stood trial on September 3, 2013 for alleged bribery and abuse of power.

Yang Hanzhong, the vice-secretary of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Inner Mongolian Committee, was tried in a packed court room of Baotou Intermediate People's Court. He had served as Party secretary and mayor in the city of Manzhouli.

Prosecutors said Yang had taken bribes worth more than 40 million yuan (6.5 million US dollars) in exchange for favors regarding government projects.

Yang was also accused of abusing his power in an office building project, which directly caused the state to lose 49 million yuan.

Yang said in court that the majority of the charges were true, but he disputed three counts of bribery.

The court said it would deliver its verdict soon.