SHENYANG, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ma Jian, former vice minister of state security, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for taking bribes.

Ma was also punished for forced transactions and inside trading, the Intermediate People's Court of Dalian City, Liaoning Province, announced.

Ma's political rights have been revoked for life, with all his personal assets confiscated.

Ma pleaded guilty in court and decided not to appeal.