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Gu Kailai given suspended death sentence over Neil Heywood murder Gu Kailai given suspended death sentence over Neil Heywood murder
(40 minutes later)
Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced politician Bo Xilai, has escaped the death penalty for murdering Neil Heywood, a lawyer representing the British businessman's family said.Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced politician Bo Xilai, has escaped the death penalty for murdering Neil Heywood, a lawyer representing the British businessman's family said.
He Zhengsheng told reporters outside the court in Hefei that Gu had been handed a suspended death sentence - usually commuted to life imprisonment after two years - while the family aide Zhang Xiaojun had been jailed for nine years.He Zhengsheng told reporters outside the court in Hefei that Gu had been handed a suspended death sentence - usually commuted to life imprisonment after two years - while the family aide Zhang Xiaojun had been jailed for nine years.
He added: "I respect the sentence from the court. I have not met the relatives. We will discuss this later. The court had reasons."He added: "I respect the sentence from the court. I have not met the relatives. We will discuss this later. The court had reasons."
The lawyer said that Gu was allowed to make a statement to the court, but gave no details. He thanked everyone for their concern.The lawyer said that Gu was allowed to make a statement to the court, but gave no details. He thanked everyone for their concern.
Analysts had thought it likely that the 53-year-old former lawyer would be given the suspended death sentence, after her one day trial earlier this month pointed to mental health issues and claimed that she had killed the Briton because she feared for her son's life - possibly mitigating factors. Heywood's friends say they believe he has been smeared.Analysts had thought it likely that the 53-year-old former lawyer would be given the suspended death sentence, after her one day trial earlier this month pointed to mental health issues and claimed that she had killed the Briton because she feared for her son's life - possibly mitigating factors. Heywood's friends say they believe he has been smeared.
Gu had reportedly requested a lighter sentence for Zhang, 33, on the grounds he was only an accessory to the crime.Gu had reportedly requested a lighter sentence for Zhang, 33, on the grounds he was only an accessory to the crime.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the British embassy in Beijing said: "We welcome the fact that the Chinese authorities have investigated the death of Neil Heywood, and tried those they identified as responsible.
"We consistently made clear to the Chinese authorities that we wanted to see the trials in this case conform to international human rights standards and for the death penalty not to be applied.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Heywood's family during this distressing time. Consular officials have attended the trial to fulfil our consular responsibilities to the family and our focus remains on offering them all the support we can."
Heywood's death last November in south-western Chongqing - where Gu's husband Bo was then party secretary - was initially ascribed to excessive alcohol consumption. His family accepted the conclusion, although friends were suspicious because he was only a light drinker.Heywood's death last November in south-western Chongqing - where Gu's husband Bo was then party secretary - was initially ascribed to excessive alcohol consumption. His family accepted the conclusion, although friends were suspicious because he was only a light drinker.
But the 41-year-old's death ultimately became the biggest political scandal in China for decades, only months ahead of a once-a-decade leadership transition.But the 41-year-old's death ultimately became the biggest political scandal in China for decades, only months ahead of a once-a-decade leadership transition.
China's courts are controlled by the Communist party and the guilty verdict was never in doubt. Authorities said even before her trial began that the evidence against her was indisputable.China's courts are controlled by the Communist party and the guilty verdict was never in doubt. Authorities said even before her trial began that the evidence against her was indisputable.
But analysts suggest officials have faced a dilemma in handling the case: too lenient a sentence might suggest that those connected to powerful leaders could literally get away with murder, while too heavy a punishment might be seen as retaliation against the family of a popular official by rivals.But analysts suggest officials have faced a dilemma in handling the case: too lenient a sentence might suggest that those connected to powerful leaders could literally get away with murder, while too heavy a punishment might be seen as retaliation against the family of a popular official by rivals.
The conclusion of Gu's trial seems unlikely to conclude the scandal as neatly as officials might hope. While discussion of the case has been heavily censored in China, conspiracy theories have abounded, with some even suggesting that the woman seen in court footage - looking considerably heavier than Gu had appeared in previous pictures - was a stand-in.The conclusion of Gu's trial seems unlikely to conclude the scandal as neatly as officials might hope. While discussion of the case has been heavily censored in China, conspiracy theories have abounded, with some even suggesting that the woman seen in court footage - looking considerably heavier than Gu had appeared in previous pictures - was a stand-in.
More pertinently, Bo's fate remains unclear. There has been no comment on his case since the announcement in April that he was under investigation by disciplinary authorities.More pertinently, Bo's fate remains unclear. There has been no comment on his case since the announcement in April that he was under investigation by disciplinary authorities.
His wife's case has been held in Hefei, Anhui province - well away from Beijing, the country's capital, and Chongqing, where her husband remains highly popular.His wife's case has been held in Hefei, Anhui province - well away from Beijing, the country's capital, and Chongqing, where her husband remains highly popular.
Chongqing's former police chief Wang Lijun, who triggered the scandal when he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu after breaking with his patron, Bo, is expected to go on trial soon. It remains unclear what charges he will face.Chongqing's former police chief Wang Lijun, who triggered the scandal when he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu after breaking with his patron, Bo, is expected to go on trial soon. It remains unclear what charges he will face.