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Bo Xilai: China awaits trial of disgraced politician Bo Xilai: Disgraced politician goes on trial in China
(about 7 hours later)
Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese politician once tipped for the highest levels of power, is to go on trial in the city of Jinan on Thursday. The trial of Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese politician once tipped for the highest levels of power, has begun in the city of Jinan.
Mr Bo, who has not been seen in public for 18 months, is charged with bribery, corruption and abuse of power.Mr Bo, who has not been seen in public for 18 months, is charged with bribery, corruption and abuse of power.
Formerly the Communist Party leader in Chongqing, he has since been stripped of official roles in a scandal that has seen his wife and police chief jailed.Formerly the Communist Party leader in Chongqing, he has since been stripped of official roles in a scandal that has seen his wife and police chief jailed.
Mr Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, was convicted of the murder of Briton Neil Heywood.Mr Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, was convicted of the murder of Briton Neil Heywood.
Questions emerged over the death of Mr Heywood in February 2012, as China prepared for a once-in-a-decade leadership handover.Questions emerged over the death of Mr Heywood in February 2012, as China prepared for a once-in-a-decade leadership handover.
Mr Bo, 64, had been seen as a candidate for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee, China's seven-member top decision-making body.Mr Bo, 64, had been seen as a candidate for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee, China's seven-member top decision-making body.
Instead he faces multiple charges and is widely expected to be found guilty.Instead he faces multiple charges and is widely expected to be found guilty.
His downfall was seen as the biggest political shake-up to hit China's ruling elite in decades.His downfall was seen as the biggest political shake-up to hit China's ruling elite in decades.
'Bartered''Bartered'
The trial - scheduled to start at 08:30 (00:30 GMT) - is taking place at the Intermediate People's Court in Jinan, which is in Shandong province. A tweet from China's state-run CCTV said proceedings were under way.
A convoy of police cars and a minivan arrived at the court early on Thursday, Reuters news agency reported. Police had blocked the court house's gates and lined roads leading to it, the agency said.
It is not clear to what extent trial proceedings will be made public. No foreign journalists were given access to the trials of Gu Kailai or Wang Lijun, the police chief whose flight to a US consulate triggered the chain of events that felled Mr Bo.It is not clear to what extent trial proceedings will be made public. No foreign journalists were given access to the trials of Gu Kailai or Wang Lijun, the police chief whose flight to a US consulate triggered the chain of events that felled Mr Bo.
Part of Wang's trial was also held in secret - similar rumours have circulated over Mr Bo's trial but these cannot be confirmed. It is also not known how long Mr Bo's trial will last.Part of Wang's trial was also held in secret - similar rumours have circulated over Mr Bo's trial but these cannot be confirmed. It is also not known how long Mr Bo's trial will last.
It is taking place at the Intermediate People's Court in Jinan, which is in Shandong province.
Ahead of the trial security was in place at the court house, where a small group of supporters of Mr Bo staged a brief protest on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Mr Bo's son, Bo Guagua, issued a statement saying he hoped his father would have the chance "to answer his critics and defend himself without constraints of any kind".Earlier this week, Mr Bo's son, Bo Guagua, issued a statement saying he hoped his father would have the chance "to answer his critics and defend himself without constraints of any kind".
The verdict, he said, would carry no weight if his well-being had been "bartered for my father's acquiescence or my mother's further co-operation" - an apparent reference to unconfirmed reports that Gu Kailai may appear as a witness against her husband.The verdict, he said, would carry no weight if his well-being had been "bartered for my father's acquiescence or my mother's further co-operation" - an apparent reference to unconfirmed reports that Gu Kailai may appear as a witness against her husband.
Details of the charges Mr Bo faces remain scant. State-run Xinhua news agency says he is accused of taking advantage of his office to accept an "extremely large amount" of money and properties, and embezzling public money.Details of the charges Mr Bo faces remain scant. State-run Xinhua news agency says he is accused of taking advantage of his office to accept an "extremely large amount" of money and properties, and embezzling public money.
'Resolute action''Resolute action'
As party leader in Chongqing, Bo Xilai was seen as a powerful, populist and charismatic figure.As party leader in Chongqing, Bo Xilai was seen as a powerful, populist and charismatic figure.
He was known for two high-profile campaigns: a large-scale crackdown on crime and a drive to promote China's old communist values. But analysts said his ambition earned him enemies and he was considered controversial by top party leaders.He was known for two high-profile campaigns: a large-scale crackdown on crime and a drive to promote China's old communist values. But analysts said his ambition earned him enemies and he was considered controversial by top party leaders.
In February 2012, around the time that China was preparing to promote a new generation of leaders, his police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in Chengdu amid an apparent fall-out with Mr Bo.In February 2012, around the time that China was preparing to promote a new generation of leaders, his police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in Chengdu amid an apparent fall-out with Mr Bo.
Shortly afterwards, Chinese authorities announced that they were reinvestigating the death of Mr Heywood, and both Mr Bo and his wife disappeared from public view.Shortly afterwards, Chinese authorities announced that they were reinvestigating the death of Mr Heywood, and both Mr Bo and his wife disappeared from public view.
Gu Kailai has since been jailed for the murder of Mr Heywood - a crime she carried out, state media say, because of differences over a business deal. Wang has also been jailed for his role in covering up events, among other charges.Gu Kailai has since been jailed for the murder of Mr Heywood - a crime she carried out, state media say, because of differences over a business deal. Wang has also been jailed for his role in covering up events, among other charges.
Mr Bo is the last major player in connection with the case to face trial.Mr Bo is the last major player in connection with the case to face trial.
Whether - and how - his trial relates to the Heywood case is not known.Whether - and how - his trial relates to the Heywood case is not known.
His name currently does not appear to be blocked on China's Twitter-like Weibo micro-blogging platform, in contrast to previous months.His name currently does not appear to be blocked on China's Twitter-like Weibo micro-blogging platform, in contrast to previous months.
On the Sina Weibo account of the Jinan Intermediate People's Court, posts appeared to be heavily censored and most supported the official stance.On the Sina Weibo account of the Jinan Intermediate People's Court, posts appeared to be heavily censored and most supported the official stance.
"Support the party Central Committee's resolute action against corruption!!" wrote user "haohaohaoa"."Support the party Central Committee's resolute action against corruption!!" wrote user "haohaohaoa".
But Liu Shengjun, a columnist for the liberal-leaning Caixin magazine, argued elsewhere that Beijing had failed to address Mr Bo's "main crime" committed during his anti-crime campaign in Chongqing.But Liu Shengjun, a columnist for the liberal-leaning Caixin magazine, argued elsewhere that Beijing had failed to address Mr Bo's "main crime" committed during his anti-crime campaign in Chongqing.
"The damage he caused by trampling on the rule of law is much more serious than corruption," he wrote."The damage he caused by trampling on the rule of law is much more serious than corruption," he wrote.
Other internet users were more complimentary, however. One user, "Small Town Girl", said: "Looking at him from a rational perspective, he made contributions to the people of Dalian and Chongqing."Other internet users were more complimentary, however. One user, "Small Town Girl", said: "Looking at him from a rational perspective, he made contributions to the people of Dalian and Chongqing."