Bo Xilai trial begins: Charged for bribery and abuse of power

Trial of Bo Xilai, former leader of Communist Party, started on Thursday at about 8.45 a.m. at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court in Shandong province of China.

64-year-old Xilai has been charged by the Jinan people's procuratorate for taking bribes, embezzlement and abuse of power. The indictment was delivered to the court July 25.

In 2012, a scandal was unearthed that involved Bo and his wife. It came into light that his wife had murdered British businessman, Neil Heywood and Bo was accused of taking advantage of his position to press the matter.

Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, was convicted last year for murdering Neil Heywood.

This scandal has also brought into light the corruptness in Communist Party and the system of China with major leaders across the world urging China to change their political system.

Xilai also seek profits for others and received huge bribes personally or through his family. His position was utilized by his wife to seek profits for others, and the Bo family accepted a huge amount of money and property from others.

He accepted bribes in the form of large amounts of money and property. He also embezzled a large amount of public money and abused his power, seriously harming the interests of the state and people.

Bo was once a rising leader of Communist Party of China (CPC). He was the former CPC chief of Chongqing municipality. Bo had also served as mayor of Dalian, governor of Liaoning province and minister of commerce.

The CPC central committee announced April 2012 that it had decided to suspend Bo's membership in the CPC central committee political bureau and the CPC central committee.

The CPC central commission for discipline inspection also filed a case of investigation against Bo, as he was suspected of being involved in serious disciplinary violations.

In September, the political bureau of the CPC central committee decided to expel Bo from the CPC and his public office. The bureau also decided to transfer Bo's suspected law violations and relevant evidence to judicial organs.

(with inputs from IANS )