Leniency pushed for minor cases

'Fewer arrests, cautious prosecution' lauded as important judicial concept

Procuratorates are pushing forward the judicial concept of "fewer arrests and cautious prosecution" for minor cases to protect suspects' interests and improve social governance, according to the annual report of the top procuratorate released on Monday.

Adhering to the concept, procuratorates nationwide disapproved the arrests of 88,000 people and decided not to prosecute 202,000 involved in minor crimes that did not require criminal punishment last year. Meanwhile, the rate of pretrial detentions fell from 96.8 percent in 2000 to 53 percent last year, the report said.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate submitted the report to the ongoing fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for deliberation.