Chen Xuming, vice director with the Public Security Bureau of Longgang District of south China's Shenzhen City, stood trial on Friday following the fatal nightclub blaze that claimed 44 lives.

The case was heard in the People's Court of Yantian District in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

Chen was accused of taking bribes of 60,000 yuan (about 7,962 U.S. dollars) from the nightclub and turning a blind eye to drug dealing and prostitution inside the club.

According to local procuratorate, he accepted an invitation from Wang Jing, head of the "King of the Dancers" club, to dinner twice.

During the one year after the club opened, 24 cases of public security and crimes were reported.

The result of Chen's case will be announced soon.

A fire broke out at about 10:49 p.m. on September 20 at the "King of the Dancers" club, when more than 300 people were watching a performance and fireworks ignited flammable material in the ceiling.

Forty-four people were killed and more than 50 were hospitalized after the accident.

Seven people were accused by the local procuratorate for alleged connection with the tragedy, most of whom are police officers accused of negligence, taking bribes or dereliction.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2008)