Zhang Youxia’s removal from the Central Military Commission in August 2026 and expulsion from the Communist Party and military in September 2026, following accusations of corruption, bribery, and political disloyalty, have advanced his case to military prosecutors. These steps occurred after his January 2026 investigation for discipline violations and reflect the ongoing anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army. Trader consensus that sentencing will not occur before 2027 stems from the typical pace of such proceedings, where party and military expulsions often precede formal trials by months or longer. No public updates on court dates or verdicts have emerged since the September Politburo decision, consistent with historical patterns in high-level cases. The Fifth Plenum scheduled for late October may address related party matters but is unlikely to accelerate a criminal sentence within the narrow remaining window.