Zhou Yongkang, the former security chief of China, was sentenced to life in jail following a verdict by the Tianjin No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on Thursday. Yongkang was convicted of abuse of power, accepting $21.3 million worth of bribes and "deliberately disclosing state secrets."

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The 73-year-old is now considered China's highest-ranking politician sent to a lifetime in jail.

During his trial, he pleaded guilty and said he is not making any appeals.

Formal charges were made against Zhou in April. His trial took place in Tianjin on May 22, reported Reuters.

The court said that apart from the bribes, he helped improve the wealth of oil industry associates as well as the wealth of his wife, Jia Xiaoye, and son, Zhou Bin. The two reportedly accepted property bribes and amassed assets worth $300 million in total.

He also helped enrich five followers with assets totaling $350 million. The country lost $250 million in total due to his crimes, the court said.

The documents Zhou leaked were reported to be five "extremely confidential" documents. There was also one "confidential" document to unauthorized person Cao Yongzheng, which directly contravenes the State Secret Law.

According to China's official media, evidence via a video link was offered to the court, but no details about its whereabouts were given.

State media also said that the trial was held secretly for security reasons.

Zhou faced potential death for his economic crimes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

On Thursday evening, Zhou made his first public appearance and speech after 21 months. China Central Television showed the disgraced official bowing to the bench.

"I accept the verdict made by the court to me," he said. "I won't appeal."

"I plead guilty and repent my wrongdoing," he added. "Those involved, who bribed my family, were actually coming after the power I held, and I should take the main responsibility."

Zhou became security czar because of the authority given to him during former president Hu Jintao's rule. He had been a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, which reportedly runs the country.

Zhou also became China National Petroleum Corp's deputy general manager. He also became CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee's secretary and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee while he was serving as minister of public security and state councilor, according to The Times of India.

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