(ANSA) Beijing, July 29 - The former head of the Chinese
secret services, Zhou Yongkang, has been placed under
investigation on suspicion of corruption, the official Xinhua
news agency reported Tuesday.
Zhou was ordered investigated for "serious violations of
discipline" of the party, a euphemism in official language for
corruption, the agency said.
The probe was carried out by the central Committee for the
inspection of discipline headed by Wang Qishan, an ally of
President Xi Jiping, the Xinhua dispatch said.
Qishan last year launched an anti-corruption campaign
pledging to strike at not just "little flies" but also "tigers,"
meaning high-level officials. At least 200 people believed
to be close to Zhou have been investigated by the Committee for
discipline in recent months.
From 2007 to 2012 Zhou was a member of the Permanent
Committee of the Political office (Cpup), the most powerful body
in China, and was considered untouchable.
Zhou supported the meteoric rise to power of Bo Xilai, the
ambitious politician who subsequently was disgraced and
sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption and abuse of
power.
Ex spychief Zhou probed for corruption
Investigation after probe of 200 intelligence chief supporters