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Bo Xilai scandal: Police chief Wang Lijun jailed for 15 years Bo Xilai scandal: Police chief Wang Lijun jailed for 15 years
(35 minutes later)
The ex-police chief at the heart of China's biggest political scandal in years has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, state media reports.The ex-police chief at the heart of China's biggest political scandal in years has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, state media reports.
Wang Lijun was jailed for ''bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribetaking", Xinhua said.Wang Lijun was jailed for ''bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribetaking", Xinhua said.
The policeman's flight in February to a US consulate led to the downfall of his ex-boss, top politician Bo Xilai.The policeman's flight in February to a US consulate led to the downfall of his ex-boss, top politician Bo Xilai.
Mr Bo's wife was convicted in August of killing UK national Neil Heywood. Wang was accused of helping in a cover up.Mr Bo's wife was convicted in August of killing UK national Neil Heywood. Wang was accused of helping in a cover up.
Wang had faced up to 20 years in jail, but prosecutors called his co-operation "meritorious service".Wang had faced up to 20 years in jail, but prosecutors called his co-operation "meritorious service".
He told the court that he would not appeal the sentence, state media said.
The ''combined term'' of 15 years in prison included nine years for bribery, seven for bending the law, two for defection and two for abuse of power, state television reported.
"The sentence is considered normal within Chinese law's assessment for the scope of punishment," his lawyer Wang Yuncai told the Associated Press.
The verdict comes as China prepares to select new leaders in coming weeks. It is due to hold a party congress that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership, although specific dates have not been announced.The verdict comes as China prepares to select new leaders in coming weeks. It is due to hold a party congress that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership, although specific dates have not been announced.
'Boxing the ears''Boxing the ears'
Wang's trial took place last week in Chengdu. A court official said after the two-day hearing that he had not contested the charges.Wang's trial took place last week in Chengdu. A court official said after the two-day hearing that he had not contested the charges.
The indictment against Wang said he knew that Gu Kailai - Mr Bo's wife - was a murder suspect, but "consciously neglected his duty and bent the law for personal gain", state news agency Xinhua reported.The indictment against Wang said he knew that Gu Kailai - Mr Bo's wife - was a murder suspect, but "consciously neglected his duty and bent the law for personal gain", state news agency Xinhua reported.
"As for the crimes that the prosecution has alleged, I understand them, I admit to them and I am repentant for them," Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua."As for the crimes that the prosecution has alleged, I understand them, I admit to them and I am repentant for them," Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Gu Kailai was given a suspended death sentence for the crime. At a separate trial on 10 August, four senior police officers from Chongqing admitted covering up evidence linking her to the murder and were jailed for between five and 11 years.Gu Kailai was given a suspended death sentence for the crime. At a separate trial on 10 August, four senior police officers from Chongqing admitted covering up evidence linking her to the murder and were jailed for between five and 11 years.
Mr Bo has not been seen in public since the scandal erupted and is said to be under investigation by the Communist party's disciplinary officials.Mr Bo has not been seen in public since the scandal erupted and is said to be under investigation by the Communist party's disciplinary officials.
It is not clear if the former Chongqing party chief - who was tipped for promotion to the top ranks before his downfall - will face criminal charges himself.It is not clear if the former Chongqing party chief - who was tipped for promotion to the top ranks before his downfall - will face criminal charges himself.
At Wang's trial last week, Mr Bo was said to have reacted with anger when the police chief told him of his wife's involvement in the murder of Mr Heywood, "boxing the ears" of his former ally.At Wang's trial last week, Mr Bo was said to have reacted with anger when the police chief told him of his wife's involvement in the murder of Mr Heywood, "boxing the ears" of his former ally.
Mr Bo's populist brand of politics - an authoritarian crackdown on corruption coupled with the promotion of old communist values - is said to have made him enemies, says the BBC's John Sudworth.Mr Bo's populist brand of politics - an authoritarian crackdown on corruption coupled with the promotion of old communist values - is said to have made him enemies, says the BBC's John Sudworth.
They may be pushing for a criminal trial that removes him from the political landscape for a very long time, our correspondent says.They may be pushing for a criminal trial that removes him from the political landscape for a very long time, our correspondent says.