The former Chinese railway minister Liu Zhijun wept at his trial on Sunday for corruption and bribery charges, begging for leniency, according to the local media.
Liu Zhijun, 60, who once ran China's powerful railways ministry, has been accused of corruption and receiving massive bribes and steering lucrative projects to associates.
Admitting his guilt, the former railway minister expressed regret, according to Liu's defense attorney, Qian Lieyang.
Citing his contributions in spearheading the much-admired high-speed train system in the country, the former railway minister wept for leniency.
The Chinese State News Agency Xinhua reported that prosecutors accused the former minister of using his power to help around 11 business associates win promotions and project contracts.
Lie is also accused of accepting 64.6 million Chinese Yuan ($10.5 million) in unspecified bribes between year 1986 and 2011.
He was tried at Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court amid high security and all foreing journalists were asked to leave the court premises.
"Liu's malpractice led to huge losses of public assets and damage to the interests of the state and people," noted the indictment, according to the news agency.
The defense attorney argued that the severity of the charges be reduced on account of his contribution to the railway systems, and he also questioned whether part of the bribery charges really amounted to bribery according to the law of the country.
The trial got over by mid-Sunday and the court said that it would announce a verdict at a later, undeclared date.
On account of unspecified discipline violations, Liu Zhijun was ousted in February 2011.
In a bid to reduce bureaucracy and boost efficiency of the railway, Beijing earlier this year separated the regulatory and commercial arms of the Ministry of Railways.
