The trial of Ji Jianye, former mayor of Nanjing, Jiangsu province, who was investigated on suspicion of accepting bribes and abusing power, has opened in Yantai, Shandong province, according to China's Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Ji, 57, is accused of taking huge bribes and allegedly gave the green light to friends who had projects to be approved by him when he worked in Suzhou, Kunshan, Yangzhou and Nanjing cities in Jiangsu.

According to People.com.cn, the bribes Ji took could total 20 million yuan ($3.3 million).