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China charges disgraced politician Bo Xilai | China charges disgraced politician Bo Xilai |
(35 minutes later) | |
China has charged disgraced politician Bo Xilai with bribery, corruption and abuse of power, state media say. | China has charged disgraced politician Bo Xilai with bribery, corruption and abuse of power, state media say. |
Bo Xilai, formerly the Communist Party chief of Chongqing, was expelled from the party after a scandal surrounding the murder of a British businessman. | Bo Xilai, formerly the Communist Party chief of Chongqing, was expelled from the party after a scandal surrounding the murder of a British businessman. |
His wife Gu Kailai was jailed in August for the killing of the Briton, Neil Heywood. | His wife Gu Kailai was jailed in August for the killing of the Briton, Neil Heywood. |
Mr Bo was charged by prosecutors on Thursday in Jinan in Shandong province, state media said. | Mr Bo was charged by prosecutors on Thursday in Jinan in Shandong province, state media said. |
The Bo Xilai scandal, which exposed corruption claims and infighting at the top of the Communist Party, was one of the biggest to rock China in years. | The Bo Xilai scandal, which exposed corruption claims and infighting at the top of the Communist Party, was one of the biggest to rock China in years. |
Mr Bo had taken advantage of his office to accept an "extremely large amount" of money and properties, state-run news agency Xinhua said, citing the indictment paper. | Mr Bo had taken advantage of his office to accept an "extremely large amount" of money and properties, state-run news agency Xinhua said, citing the indictment paper. |
He is also charged with embezzling public money, Xinhua said. | He is also charged with embezzling public money, Xinhua said. |
Murder investigation | Murder investigation |
The sending of the formal indictment to a court in the city of Jinan suggests the trial is now imminent, the BBC's John Sudworth in Shanghai reports. | |
Mr Bo was previously considered a rising star in the Communist Party, and one of the country's most powerful officials. | Mr Bo was previously considered a rising star in the Communist Party, and one of the country's most powerful officials. |
However, he came under criticism after his former police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in Chengdu in February 2012, spending a day there. | However, he came under criticism after his former police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in Chengdu in February 2012, spending a day there. |
Wang made allegations about British businessman Neil Heywood's death while at the consulate, reports said. | Wang made allegations about British businessman Neil Heywood's death while at the consulate, reports said. |
Heywood had died in Chongqing the previous year. The Wang Lijun incident prompted an investigation into his death. | Heywood had died in Chongqing the previous year. The Wang Lijun incident prompted an investigation into his death. |
Mr Bo was suspected of trying to cover up the murder, and was stripped of his party positions. | Mr Bo was suspected of trying to cover up the murder, and was stripped of his party positions. |
Mr Bo's wife Gu Kailai was charged with Heywood's murder, and given a suspended death sentence, which is usually commuted to life imprisonment in China. | Mr Bo's wife Gu Kailai was charged with Heywood's murder, and given a suspended death sentence, which is usually commuted to life imprisonment in China. |
Wang, meanwhile, was jailed for 15 years for defection, power abuse and bribe taking. | Wang, meanwhile, was jailed for 15 years for defection, power abuse and bribe taking. |
Mr Bo was popular in his role as party chief in Chongqing. | Mr Bo was popular in his role as party chief in Chongqing. |
He was known for two high-profile campaigns: a large-scale crackdown on crime, and a drive to promote China's old communist values. | |
Despite his charisma, his penchant for the limelight set him apart from other Chinese politicians. | Despite his charisma, his penchant for the limelight set him apart from other Chinese politicians. |
According to analysts, his ambition and flamboyant style earned him enemies and was considered controversial by party leaders. | According to analysts, his ambition and flamboyant style earned him enemies and was considered controversial by party leaders. |
His populist brand of Maoist nostalgia, such as his encouragement of the public singing of old communist songs, was seen as dangerous by China's more reform-minded leaders, our correspondent says. |