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Bo Xilai: Disgraced politician goes on trial in China Bo Xilai: Disgraced politician goes on trial in China
(35 minutes later)
The trial of Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese politician once tipped for the highest levels of power, has begun.The trial of Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese politician once tipped for the highest levels of power, has begun.
Mr Bo, who has not been seen in public for 18 months, is charged with bribery, corruption and abuse of power. Mr Bo, who disappeared from public view almost 18 months ago, 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 rocked the Chinese leadership.Formerly the Communist Party leader in Chongqing, he has since been stripped of official roles in a scandal that rocked the Chinese leadership.
According to the court's microblog, the indictment has been read and the prosecution is now making its case.According to the court's microblog, the indictment has been read and the prosecution is now making its case.
Two years ago the high-flying Mr Bo, 64, was seen as a candidate for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee, China's seven-member top decision-making body.Two years ago the high-flying Mr Bo, 64, was seen as a candidate for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee, China's seven-member top decision-making body.
But in February 2012, as China prepared for its once-in-a-decade leadership handover, questions emerged over the death of a British businessman, Neil Heywood.But in February 2012, as China prepared for its once-in-a-decade leadership handover, questions emerged over the death of a British businessman, Neil Heywood.
Mr Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, has since been convicted of Mr Heywood's murder. Mr Bo faces multiple charges and is widely expected to be found guilty.Mr Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, has since been convicted of Mr Heywood's murder. Mr Bo 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 - which started at 08:30 (00:30 GMT) - is taking place at the Intermediate People's Court in Jinan, which is in Shandong province.The trial - which started at 08:30 (00:30 GMT) - is taking place at the Intermediate People's Court in Jinan, which is in Shandong province.
"The chief judge announces the trial has begun and has called the defendant Bo Xilai to the court," the court, in an update on its official microblog."The chief judge announces the trial has begun and has called the defendant Bo Xilai to the court," the court, in an update on its official microblog.
Five of Mr Bo's relatives are said to be at the in court, along with 19 journalists and 84 other people. Foreign journalists have not been allowed in.Five of Mr Bo's relatives are said to be at the in court, along with 19 journalists and 84 other people. Foreign journalists have not been allowed in.
According to the indictment, Mr Bo is accused of receiving bribes totalling 21.8m yuan ($3.56m, £2.28m) from two Dalian-based businessmen. According to the indictment posted by the court, Mr Bo is accused of receiving bribes totalling 21.8m yuan ($3.56m, £2.28m) from two Dalian-based businessmen.
The abuse of power charge is connected to his wife's role in Mr Heywood's murder, it said.The abuse of power charge is connected to his wife's role in Mr Heywood's murder, it said.
Hearings would last two days, CCTV said in a tweet, with a verdict "likely in early September".Hearings would last two days, CCTV said in a tweet, with a verdict "likely in early September".
Security was tight at the court, with police blocking the gates and lining roads leading up to it.Security was tight at the court, with police blocking the gates and lining roads leading up to it.
Earlier this week, Mr Bo's son, Bo Guagua, issued a statement from the US 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 from the US 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 could 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 could appear as a witness against her husband.
'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.
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 ahead of the trial appeared to be heavily censored and most supported the official stance.On the Sina Weibo account of the Jinan Intermediate People's Court, posts ahead of the trial 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."