Ex-security chief's wife, son jailed

Zhou Yongkang's family members given a total of 27 years by court in Hubei

The son and the wife of former security chief Zhou Yongkang were sentenced to prison terms on Wednesday, according to verdicts issued by a court in Hubei province.

The son, Zhou Bin, 44, was sentenced to 18 years for taking bribes and for illegal business operations, the verdict said.

He was fined 350.2 million yuan ($53 million) and all of his illegally obtained assets were ordered to be confiscated.

Zhou Bin and Zhou Yongkang sought benefits for others by taking advantage of Zhou Yongkang's posts, and accepted property worth 98 million yuan, the verdict, issued by Yichang Intermediate People's Court, said.

Zhou Bin also used his father's influence to obtain advantages for others through officials, and accepted property worth 124 million yuan.

Zhou Yongkang was a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee from 2007 to 2012.

Hours before the verdict on Zhou Bin, Jia Xiaoye, 48, Zhou Yongkang's wife and Zhou Bin's stepmother, was imprisoned for nine years for taking bribes, according to a verdict issued by the same court.