(IC)

Li Yali, 52, head of the Public Security Bureau of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and deputy head of Shanxi Provincial Public Security Department, was removed from both positions and subjected to a disciplinary investigation on December 6.

The decision came after authorities reviewed a whistle-blowing report on how Li used his power to cover up a disturbance involving his son Li Zhengyuan.

A widely circulated online video showed that the younger Li attacked traffic police officer Xia Kun when he was caught running a red light in a sport utility vehicle on October 28. He was stopped by three police officers who arrived at the scene later. Police took blood-alcohol tests and found that he was driving drunk. However, he went home, instead of being detained. Xia claimed that he was forced to keep silent afterward, and his mother received threatening text messages.

The removal of Li Yali from his posts follows a series of recent cases in which a number of high-level officials were investigated and dismissed for corruption.