Beijing in scramble to put Bo Xilai on trial ahead of leadership transition
Prosecution of disgraced former party boss for corruption is likely to be rushed through ahead of leadership transition, experts say
Bo Xilai is likely to stand trial before the start of the leadership succession next month, as Beijing scrambles to limit the fallout from his scandalous downfall, analysts say.
They believe the trial of the disgraced former Politburo member was the main reason for the surprise postponement of the opening of the 18th national party congress until November 8.
Criminal proceedings against Bo are expected to be accelerated, with some pundits predicting the former Chongqing party chief may be convicted before the once-in-a-decade leadership shake-up starts.
Bo may face life imprisonment or even the death penalty for corruption and other crimes; he is alleged to have taken bribes worth more than 20 million yuan over nearly 20 years, according to an internal party probe.
Although Bo's wife, Gu Kailai , was implicated in the bribe-taking, according to a Xinhua report on Friday, analysts say she is unlikely to be tried again or see further punishment.
