Chinese procuratorate organs investigated 6,071 officials suspected of power abuse and dereliction of duty in the first eight months this year, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Wednesday.

Since June, the SPP launched a nationwide crackdown on officials who abuse their position and up to August 2,186 criminal suspects had been put on file.

Zhang Geng, vice president of the SPP, said the "strike hard" campaign has entered a crucial stage, and procuratorate organs at all levels must put it at the top of their agenda.

The crackdown focuses on illegal detainment and search, obtaining evidence and prosecuting crimes through illegal means, election fraud, and mistreating detainees, as well as neglect of duty that leads to severe life and economic losses.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2004)