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| China concludes trial of flamboyant police chief | China concludes trial of flamboyant police chief |
| (8 days later) | |
| The trial of the flamboyant Chinese police chief who brought about the downfall of leader Bo Xilai concluded in south-western China on Tuesday, one day after a secret hearing took place behind closed doors. | The trial of the flamboyant Chinese police chief who brought about the downfall of leader Bo Xilai concluded in south-western China on Tuesday, one day after a secret hearing took place behind closed doors. |
| Wang Lijun faced charges of taking bribes and "bending the law for selfish ends", state news agency Xinhua reported. It described the hearing as an "open trial", although it took place under tight security before a carefully selected audience. Foreign journalists were not permitted to attend. | Wang Lijun faced charges of taking bribes and "bending the law for selfish ends", state news agency Xinhua reported. It described the hearing as an "open trial", although it took place under tight security before a carefully selected audience. Foreign journalists were not permitted to attend. |
| Lawyer Wang Yuncai – no relation of her client, and one of two defence representatives – said Wang's relatives had been in court and that the judgment would be made at a later date. She made no further comment, saying people should wait for the court's announcement. | Lawyer Wang Yuncai – no relation of her client, and one of two defence representatives – said Wang's relatives had been in court and that the judgment would be made at a later date. She made no further comment, saying people should wait for the court's announcement. |
| Earlier she said that the first session, regarding defection and abuse of power charges, had been held behind closed doors because it touched on state secrets. | Earlier she said that the first session, regarding defection and abuse of power charges, had been held behind closed doors because it touched on state secrets. |
| Scores of uniformed and plain clothes officers surrounded the taped-off courthouse, with some photographing and filming journalists. | Scores of uniformed and plain clothes officers surrounded the taped-off courthouse, with some photographing and filming journalists. |
| Three prison vans were seen leaving just after 1pm and an official at the court confirmed the hearing was over. | Three prison vans were seen leaving just after 1pm and an official at the court confirmed the hearing was over. |
| Criminal cases almost always end in conviction in China and Xinhua has already described evidence against Wang as "concrete and abundant". Possible punishments range from a lengthy jail term to the death penalty. | Criminal cases almost always end in conviction in China and Xinhua has already described evidence against Wang as "concrete and abundant". Possible punishments range from a lengthy jail term to the death penalty. |
| "It will probably be somewhere between 15 years to the same verdict for Gu Kailai – the death penalty, but commuted to suspended capital punishment," Cheng Li, a China expert with the Brookings Institution thinktank, told Associated Press. | "It will probably be somewhere between 15 years to the same verdict for Gu Kailai – the death penalty, but commuted to suspended capital punishment," Cheng Li, a China expert with the Brookings Institution thinktank, told Associated Press. |
| An ambulance arrived at the back door of the Chengdu people's intermediate court shortly before the scheduled start of the hearing at 8.30am and two medical staff were seen at the front door. There have been rumours that Wang is in poor health. | An ambulance arrived at the back door of the Chengdu people's intermediate court shortly before the scheduled start of the hearing at 8.30am and two medical staff were seen at the front door. There have been rumours that Wang is in poor health. |
| The conclusion of the trial will take China closer to resolving the political upheaval that resulted from Wang's dash to the US consulate in Chengdu in February – particularly important given the impending transition of power to younger leaders. | The conclusion of the trial will take China closer to resolving the political upheaval that resulted from Wang's dash to the US consulate in Chengdu in February – particularly important given the impending transition of power to younger leaders. |
| By accusing Gu, the wife of his patron Bo, of murder, Wang triggered the ousting of the Chongqing party secretary as well as a reinvestigation of the death of British businessman Neil Heywood. Last month, a court handed Gu a suspended death sentence for the murder of the 41-year-old. | By accusing Gu, the wife of his patron Bo, of murder, Wang triggered the ousting of the Chongqing party secretary as well as a reinvestigation of the death of British businessman Neil Heywood. Last month, a court handed Gu a suspended death sentence for the murder of the 41-year-old. |
| But it remains to be seen whether authorities will also try Bo, who has been under investigation by the party for unspecified disciplinary violations since April. Some analysts believe those at the top of the party are reluctant to do so because it would shed an unflattering light on senior leaders and might stir up Bo's supporters. Others think that indicting Wang for offences related to his duties indicates they are preparing the way for a criminal trial of his boss. | But it remains to be seen whether authorities will also try Bo, who has been under investigation by the party for unspecified disciplinary violations since April. Some analysts believe those at the top of the party are reluctant to do so because it would shed an unflattering light on senior leaders and might stir up Bo's supporters. Others think that indicting Wang for offences related to his duties indicates they are preparing the way for a criminal trial of his boss. |
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