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Bo Xilai scandal: Gu Kailai jailed over Heywood murder | Bo Xilai scandal: Gu Kailai jailed over Heywood murder |
(40 minutes later) | |
The wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. | The wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. |
Gu Kailai did not contest charges at her 9 August one-day trial that she poisoned Mr Heywood in November 2011. | |
Suspended death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment in China. | Suspended death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment in China. |
Mr Bo, the former party chief in Chongqing, was once seen as a contender for a national leadership position in a top-level reshuffle later this year. | Mr Bo, the former party chief in Chongqing, was once seen as a contender for a national leadership position in a top-level reshuffle later this year. |
But he has not been seen in public since the investigation into Gu was announced. | But he has not been seen in public since the investigation into Gu was announced. |
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas, outside the court in Hefei, says Gu is expected to serve at least 14 years in prison. | The BBC's Damian Grammaticas, outside the court in Hefei, says Gu is expected to serve at least 14 years in prison. |
Gu's aide, Zhang Xiaojun, was jailed for nine years for his part in the murder. | Gu's aide, Zhang Xiaojun, was jailed for nine years for his part in the murder. |
'Huge stone' | 'Huge stone' |
The verdict in China's most high-profile trial for years came early on Monday, inside a court ringed by security personnel. | The verdict in China's most high-profile trial for years came early on Monday, inside a court ringed by security personnel. |
Chinese state media has reported that during the trial - which was not open to all - Gu admitted she poisoned Neil Heywood in a hotel room in Chongqing. | Chinese state media has reported that during the trial - which was not open to all - Gu admitted she poisoned Neil Heywood in a hotel room in Chongqing. |
She said she had suffered a mental breakdown and that Mr Heywood had threatened her son amid a row over a property deal, state media said. | She said she had suffered a mental breakdown and that Mr Heywood had threatened her son amid a row over a property deal, state media said. |
"This case has been like a huge stone weighing on me for more than half a year. What a nightmare," she was quoted as saying. | "This case has been like a huge stone weighing on me for more than half a year. What a nightmare," she was quoted as saying. |
Two British diplomats were allowed to attend the trial but foreign journalists were not present. | Two British diplomats were allowed to attend the trial but foreign journalists were not present. |
At a separate trial a day later, four senior police officers admitted charges of covering up evidence linking Gu to the murder, a court official said. | |
The case came to light when Bo Xilai's deputy, police chief Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in February, reportedly with information connected to the case. | The case came to light when Bo Xilai's deputy, police chief Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in February, reportedly with information connected to the case. |
He has not been seen in public since then and state media says he is being investigated. | |
It is not yet know how the Communist Party plans to deal with Mr Bo. | It is not yet know how the Communist Party plans to deal with Mr Bo. |
Many analysts expected him to be promoted to the nine-strong politburo Standing Committee later in the year. | Many analysts expected him to be promoted to the nine-strong politburo Standing Committee later in the year. |
Seven committee members are due to retire, with a new generation of leaders to take their place at a party congress expected later this year. | |
But Mr Bo has been stripped of his official posts and is being investigated for "discipline violations", state media reports say. | But Mr Bo has been stripped of his official posts and is being investigated for "discipline violations", state media reports say. |
What is your reaction to the verdict? Send us your comments using the form below. | What is your reaction to the verdict? Send us your comments using the form below. |