A former close aide of China's ex-security czar was today expelled from the Communist Party and sacked from his post after a criminal probe was launched against him for graft, the latest in the campaign against corrupt bigwigs in the ruling party.
Guo Yongxiang, a former Sichuan provincial official who was associated with Zhou Yongkong -- ex-security chief and one of the top leaders till last year -- has been stripped off Communist Party of China (CPC) membership and expelled from public office for serious law and discipline violations, the party's anti-graft body announced.
The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) in a statement said Guo has been placed under criminal investigation for accepting "massive bribes".
"Coercive measures have been imposed on Guo and the investigation is under way," the statement said.
It said investigation found out that Guo had exacted profits for others with his power, taken great amount of bribes and gifts himself or through his son.
Guo has also been found seeking profits for his son's businesses with his power and of moral corruption.
Guo was formerly a member of the standing committee of the CPC Sichuan provincial committee and a vice governor of Sichuan province.
There was no mention of Zhou in the statement carried by the state-run Xinhua news agency but observers say action against Guo indicates that similar action could be taken against Zhou, the ninth member of the previous all powerful Standing Committee of the CPC headed by former president Hu Jintao which relinquished power last year.
Though the ninth member, Zhou was stated to be most powerful as wielded tremendous influence being a security chief.
Unconfirmed reports say that he and his family are under detention.
If Zhou is arrested it would the first time after Mao Zedong's death in 1976, disciplinary action against a retired high power former leader would be initiated.
CPC insiders say that it is an unwritten rule in the party that retired leaders would not proceeded against.
It is to be seen if Chinese President Xi Jinping who launched the anti-corruption campaign shaking up the party and military emerging as the most powerful leader would decide to proceed against Zhou and set a new precedent.
Besides the Presidency, Xi also heads the CPC and the military.
Zhou was also stated to be close to disgraced leader, Bo Xilai who last year was sentenced to life for various charges, including attempting to the shield investigations against his wife Gu, who was given a suspended death sentence for her role in the murder of British businessman, Neil Heywood.
