HANGZHOU -- Once China's most wanted fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, who fled China in 2003, stood trial for embezzlement and taking bribes on Friday.

According to the trial held at Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, from 1996 to 1997, Yang took advantage of her posts in Wenzhou city to embezzle more than 19 million yuan (2.82 million U.S. dollars) for personal use.

Prosecutors accused her of abusing her power to help others with land exploitation, project promotion, increasing construction areas and reducing expenses, and accepting money and properties worth 7.35 million yuan from 1994 to 1998.

In April 2003, she fled China. Yang turned herself in to the country in November 2016, confessing to her crimes.

She was once number one on China's top 100 fugitives, which were released in an Interpol "red notice."

Yang pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

About 50 people attended the trial, including legislators, political advisors, journalists and members of the public.

The verdict will be announced at a later date.