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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bo Xilai timeline: from Communist powerbroker to corruption charges | Bo Xilai timeline: from Communist powerbroker to corruption charges |
| (12 days later) | |
| 14 November 2011 | 14 November 2011 |
| Neil Heywood dies in the south-west city of Chongqing, where Bo Xilai is party secretary. Chinese officials tell his family and British officials that the 41-year-old businessman, who had ties with Bo's family, died because of excessive alcohol consumption. | Neil Heywood dies in the south-west city of Chongqing, where Bo Xilai is party secretary. Chinese officials tell his family and British officials that the 41-year-old businessman, who had ties with Bo's family, died because of excessive alcohol consumption. |
| 2 February 2012 | 2 February 2012 |
| Wang Lijun, the vice-mayor and police chief of Chongqing and a key ally of Bo, is reshuffled to a non-police role amid rumours he faces a corruption investigation. | Wang Lijun, the vice-mayor and police chief of Chongqing and a key ally of Bo, is reshuffled to a non-police role amid rumours he faces a corruption investigation. |
| 7 February | 7 February |
| Microblog users begin posting pictures of the US consulate in Chengdu surrounded by police officers, and speculate – correctly – that Wang has fled there. | Microblog users begin posting pictures of the US consulate in Chengdu surrounded by police officers, and speculate – correctly – that Wang has fled there. |
| 8 February | 8 February |
| The Chongqing government publishes a microblog message saying Wang is suffering from stress owing to overwork and is receiving "vacation-style therapy". | The Chongqing government publishes a microblog message saying Wang is suffering from stress owing to overwork and is receiving "vacation-style therapy". |
| 9 February | 9 February |
| The state news agency Xinhua confirms that Wang went to the US consulate and spent more than a day there. It says he is under investigation. | The state news agency Xinhua confirms that Wang went to the US consulate and spent more than a day there. It says he is under investigation. |
| 9 March | 9 March |
| Bo defends himself at a press conference during the National People's Congress in Beijing, denying he has offered to resign and attacking critics for "pouring filth" on his family. | Bo defends himself at a press conference during the National People's Congress in Beijing, denying he has offered to resign and attacking critics for "pouring filth" on his family. |
| 14 March | 14 March |
| The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, uses his annual press conference to criticise Bo. | The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, uses his annual press conference to criticise Bo. |
| 26 July | 26 July |
| Xinhua reports that Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, and family aide Zhang Xiaojun have been charged with Heywood's murder. | Xinhua reports that Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, and family aide Zhang Xiaojun have been charged with Heywood's murder. |
| 9 August | 9 August |
| Gu and Zhang stand trial for the murder of Heywood. The trial lasts only a few hours. | Gu and Zhang stand trial for the murder of Heywood. The trial lasts only a few hours. |
| 20 August | 20 August |
| Gu is found guilty of Heywood's murder and given a suspended death sentence, usually commuted to life imprisonment. | Gu is found guilty of Heywood's murder and given a suspended death sentence, usually commuted to life imprisonment. |
| 5 September | 5 September |
| Wang is charged with covering up the Heywood murder, among other offences. Some analysts suggest that a prosecution of Wang is paving the way for charges to be brought against Bo. | Wang is charged with covering up the Heywood murder, among other offences. Some analysts suggest that a prosecution of Wang is paving the way for charges to be brought against Bo. |
| 17 September | 17 September |
| Wang's trial begins in secret, due to the case's sensitivity. | Wang's trial begins in secret, due to the case's sensitivity. |
| 19 September | 19 September |
| State media reports of the trial implicate Bo in a criminal act for the first time, increasing the chances of him facing charges. | State media reports of the trial implicate Bo in a criminal act for the first time, increasing the chances of him facing charges. |
| 24 September | 24 September |
| Wang is found guilty and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. The relatively lenient jail term – the charges he faced could carry the death penalty – recognises extenuating circumstances, such as his confession. | Wang is found guilty and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. The relatively lenient jail term – the charges he faced could carry the death penalty – recognises extenuating circumstances, such as his confession. |
| 28 September | 28 September |
| Bo is expelled from the Communist party and faces charges of corruption and abuse of power, as well as other crimes. | Bo is expelled from the Communist party and faces charges of corruption and abuse of power, as well as other crimes. |
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