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Bo Xilai scandal : Ex-police chief Wang Lijun charged Bo Xilai scandal : Ex-police chief Wang Lijun charged
(35 minutes later)
The ex-police chief at the centre of China's biggest political scandal for years has been charged with a number of offences, Chinese state media say.The ex-police chief at the centre of China's biggest political scandal for years has been charged with a number of offences, Chinese state media say.
Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power, and bribe-taking. Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking.
He briefly fled to a US consulate in February, triggering a series of events that led to the downfall of the powerful politician Bo Xilai.He briefly fled to a US consulate in February, triggering a series of events that led to the downfall of the powerful politician Bo Xilai.
Bo Xilai's wife has since been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.Bo Xilai's wife has since been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.
Mr Bo had been tipped for promotion to China's highest leadership this year.Mr Bo had been tipped for promotion to China's highest leadership this year.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says the charges against Mr Wang appear to be an attempt to bring the scandal to an end before China embarks on a change of leadership later this year.
Gave himself up
Wang Lijun was the former police chief of the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing and had a reputation for being tough on organised crime.Wang Lijun was the former police chief of the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing and had a reputation for being tough on organised crime.
In early February, the Chongqing city government said Mr Wang had been shifted to another job.In early February, the Chongqing city government said Mr Wang had been shifted to another job.
Four days later, he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu, near Chongqing, where many believe he sought asylum.Four days later, he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu, near Chongqing, where many believe he sought asylum.
He spent the night there but was persuaded to leave a day later. He gave himself up to police and has been in detention since then.He spent the night there but was persuaded to leave a day later. He gave himself up to police and has been in detention since then.
According to the UK Foreign Office, Mr Wang made allegations about Mr Heywood's death while at the consulate.According to the UK Foreign Office, Mr Wang made allegations about Mr Heywood's death while at the consulate.
Shortly afterwards, Bo Xilai was sacked as Chongqing's Communist party chief, and his wife Gu Kailai was accused and later convicted of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood.Shortly afterwards, Bo Xilai was sacked as Chongqing's Communist party chief, and his wife Gu Kailai was accused and later convicted of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says the charges against Mr Wang appears to be an attempt to bring the scandal to an end before China embarks on a change of leadership later this year. The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says the charges against Mr Wang appear to be an attempt to bring the scandal to an end before China embarks on a change of leadership later this year.
According to Xinhua news agency, Wang Lijun is suspected of attempting to cover up Gu Kailai's involvement in the Neil Heywood murder.
He knew that Gu Kailai was a suspect, but "consciously neglected his duty and bent the law for personal gain", according to the indictment issued by the Chengdu City People's Procuratorate.
He is also accused of leaving his post without authorisation with the intention of defecting at the US Consulate General in Chengdu.
He is also suspected of forging documents and of accepting huge sums of money in abuse of his position as vice mayor and police chief of Chongqing.
The People's Procuratorate of Chengdu say the evidence against him is "clear and plenty", Xinhua reports.