Bo Xilai: Disgraced politician goes on trial in China

[Haia]

The court posted a picture of Mr Bo - the first image of him in 18 months


Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese politician once tipped for the highest levels of power, has gone on trial on charges of bribery, corruption and abuse of power.
The former Chongqing Communist Party leader is accused of accepting money from two businessman, the court said.
The abuse of power charge relates to his wife's role in the murder of a British businessman, it said.
Mr Bo's trial is China's most politically-charged in decades.
Two years ago the 64-year-old high-flier 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 the 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.
His downfall was seen as the biggest political shake-up to hit China's ruling elite in decades.
'Fairly and justly' 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 court is providing an account of proceedings on its official microblog.
"I hope the judge will try this case fairly and justly according to the law of the country," Mr Bo reportedly said.
Five of Mr Bo's relatives are said to be in court, along with 19 journalists and 84 other people. Foreign journalists have not been allowed in.
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 court microblog quoted Mr Bo as saying about one of the cases: "That Tang Xiaolin gave me three bribes - that did not happen. He asked me to help him sort out something, and these were all done according to procedure."
Mr Bo said he had admitted this "against his will" under questioning, adding: "What I meant was that I was willing to take the legal responsibility but I had no idea of all these details back then."
The abuse of power charge is connected to his wife's role in Mr Heywood's murder and his treatment of Wang Lijun, his now-jailed former police chief whose flight to the US consulate brought the case out into the open, it said.
Continue reading the main story Security has been tightened at the court in Jinan where the trial is being held

[Mary Naeem]

Thanks Haia