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Subscribe to RSSChina's most politically explosive trial rapped in a matter of hours when Gu Kailai, the wife of Chinese politician Bo Xilai, did not object to murder charges against her. ITV's Angus Walker reports.
Updated at 8:40 a.m. ET: HEFEI, China -- The woman at the center of China's most politically explosive trial in three decades did not contest charges of murder on Thursday in a hearing that lasted just seven hours and could determine the fate of former politician Bo Xilai.
Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, chose not to contest the charge of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood, whose alleged secretive dealings with the couple fuelled a scandal exposing the intimate nexus between money and power in China's elite.
A formal verdict will be delivered at a later date, a court official said, recounting details of the closed-door hearing.
CCTV via Reuters TV
Gu Kailai, center, appears at the Hefei Intermediate People's Court on Thursday.
The dramatic account of Heywood's death by poisoning is also likely to sound the final death knell to Bo's political career, even as sympathizers cast him as the victim of a push to oust him and discredit his left-leaning agenda.
"The accused Bogu (Gu) Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun did not raise objections to the accusations of intentional homicide," the official, Tang Yigan, said after the hearing, referring also to Gu's co-accused, an aide to the family.
State television showed Gu, wearing a dark pant suit and white shirt, being led into the courtroom and being seated in the dock. She appeared to have put on weight since she was detained earlier this year.
Wife of ousted China politician charged with Briton's murder
Reuters
This photo shows Bo Xilai, British businessman Neil Heywood and Bo's wife Gu Kailai.
The court official quoted prosecutors as saying Gu and Zhang had killed Heywood with a poisoned drink in far southwestern Chongqing last November, after a business dispute between Gu and Heywood. Bo ruled the vast municipality until he was sacked in March just before the murder scandal burst into the open.
As a result of the dispute with Heywood, Gu had become convinced Heywood was a threat to her son, Bo Guagua, the official said without elaborating.
"Gu Kailai believed that Neil Heywood had threatened the personal safety of her son Bo (Guagua) and decided to kill him," the official added, reading from a statement to a packed news conference of dozens of reporters who had been barred entry to the courtroom in the eastern city of Hefei.
The aide, Zhang, had driven Heywood to Chongqing last November from Beijing and prepared a poison which was to be put later into a drink of water. Later that day, Heywood met Gu at a hotel, where he became drunk and then asked for water.
Corruption may be widespread in China, but one official crossed a line when he wiretapped President Hu Jin Tau. Now that official's wife is a murder suspect. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
"She poured a poison into his mouth," the official said.
Gu was represented by government-appointed lawyers. Her trial is seen by many Chinese as part of a push against her husband Bo, who made powerful enemies as he campaigned to join the next generation of top central leaders.
Bo was formerly considered a contender for the inner sanctum of power -- the party's Politburo Standing Committee -- in a once-in-a-decade leadership transition that is currently under way. The new leadership is expected to be unveiled in October.
Earlier, a British diplomat was seen entering the court, but did not comment. International media were not allowed into the court.
Censorship
State censorship of Internet chatter on the trial was swifter than normal on Thursday. Users of China's popular Twitter-like service Sina Weibo played cat and mouse with authorities to discuss the case and used word play to try to get around the controls.
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Police dragged two protesters away from outside the Hefei Intermediate People's Court in eastern China. The two Bo supporters kicked and yelled as they were put into an unmarked car after they had appeared outside the building, condemning the trial as a sham and singing patriotic songs that were the trademark of Bo's populist leadership style.
"I don't believe it. This case was decided well in advance," Hu Jiye, a middle-aged man wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap, told foreign reporters at the rear of the court building, which was cordoned off by dozens of police standing in heavy rain.
Eugene Hoshiko / AP
Police officers stand guard outside a court where the murder trial of Gu Kailai was held on Thursday in Hefei, China.
Hu and his friend were then shoved by police officers into a car. His companion, also a middle-aged man, struggled and yelled, "Why are you taking me? Why are you taking me?"
But many ordinary Chinese citizens were unaware of the trial, or felt that it had little impact on their lives.
"We are not really interested in the Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai cases because they are far removed from us, we are very busy with our daily lives," Beijing construction manager Ji Jiaminghe told NBC News.
"The lesson of the Bo Xilai case is that it was wrong to go against the political mainstream," Ji said, even as he acknowledged that he loved to sing and listen to the "Red Songs" that Bo promoted.
Communist Party aristocracy
The trial of Gu, the glamorous daughter of ruling Communist Party aristocracy, is the most sensational since the conviction of the Gang of Four more than 30 years ago for crimes during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution.
China's Communist party unleashes its full weight against former politician Bo Xilai and his wife over a murder scandal. ITN's Angus Walker reports from Beijing.
Gu and family aide Zhang Xiaojun face the death penalty if convicted of poisoning the former family friend.
Police sources initially claimed Gu had poisoned Heywood in a disagreement over an illicit financial transaction she had wanted him to help her complete, and they portrayed Gu as a greedy wife who was translating her husband's connections into dollars.
Sources: Briton killed after threat to expose Chinese leader's wife
But Gu's alleged personal motive for the killing -- that Gu believed Heywood was a threat to her son -- may count as a mitigating circumstance and help Gu avoid execution.
Any hesitance to put Gu to death would make sense, according to Hu Xingdou, an outspoken blogger and frequent government critic, told NBC News.
Scandal sends China's netizens into feeding frenzy
"The death penalty is not likely precisely because a political struggle is involved and people don't like political rivals being executed," he said.
In announcing the indictment about two weeks ago, the official Xinhua News Agency made clear the government considers the verdict a foregone conclusion.
"The facts of the two defendants' crime are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable and substantial," it said.
The trial and sentencing of both Gu and Zhang are widely seen as a prelude to a possible criminal prosecution of Bo, who is being detained for violating party discipline -- an accusation that covers corruption, abuse of power and other misdeeds.
In what's being called the biggest Chinese political scandal in years, Bo Xilai, the Communist Party secretary in Chongqing, was sacked Thursday. NBC's Ed Flanagan reports.
Bo, who was a favorite of party leftists and promoted himself as a friend of the poor and an enemy of corruption, was sacked as Chongqing party chief in March after his police chief, Wang Lijun, identified Gu as a suspect in Heywood's death.
Press behaved 'appallingly'?
On Thursday morning, there was no sign of Gu's elderly mother, nor of any members of Heywood's family in or around the courtroom.
In London, Heywood's mother accused the press of spreading lies about her son. "You've all behaved so appallingly," Ann Heywood said Wednesday outside her home.
British media have suggested Neil Heywood was involved in money laundering, worked for British intelligence or that he was Gu's lover. Ann Heywood claimed to know more about the case than was in the public domain, but she wasn't specific and said the truth would come out eventually.
More China coverage from NBCNews.com's Behind the Wall blog
Before his ouster in the spring, Bo, also the son of a revolutionary veteran, was one of China's most powerful and charismatic politicians. But his overt maneuvering for a top political job, as well as high-profile campaigns to bust organized crime and promote communist culture -- while trampling over civil liberties and reviving memories of the chaotic Cultural Revolution in the process -- angered some leaders.
Bo is the first Politburo member to be removed from office in five years and the scandal kicked up talk of a political struggle involving Bo supporters intent on derailing succession plans calling for Vice President Xi Jinping to lead the party for the next decade.
Bo is in the hands of the party's internal discipline and inspection commission, which is expected to issue a statement about his infractions. That would open the way for a court trial with charges possibly including obstructing police work and abuse of power. Thus far, Bo has been accused only of grievous but unspecified rules violations.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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She will be shot and her family will be billed for the price of the bullets
Yes, no mercy and compassion in China! Maybe they will allow them to pay for the bullet in advance!
"We promise you a good trial, followed by a first class hanging!!"
To answer the question is hard but what about another question: Can you get an unfair trial in America?
A court official said：“You will be shot 。"
"What's wrong with me?",I replied。
“People must kill you。What‘s the matter？”，The judge shout loudly。
They use lethal injection these days. I always thought the single bullet to the back of the head is an iconic way to execute the condemned, though, but, alas, it is not an anachronism...hehe.
One does note, however, that the conviction rate in China is actually slightly lower than that of TX, where it hovers at just under 90%.
Anyone with familiar with China's legal system will tell you that she will not be executed, not someone with such "prestige" political family background. Of course, her extensive knowledge about party's dark secret alone will save her from the bullet. The final sentencing was discussed and agreed before trial so the power from each political group is balanced. She will get a death sentence with two years grace period. Then, it will be reduced to life, 20 years and finally she will be able to walk away from all these 7~8 years from today.
Paul has it about right, although if I were her, I wouldn't bet on release in 7-8 years. She'll get the reprieve and a life sentence (20 years).. whether she gets an earlier release beyond the customary parole-like reductions they do (assuming lifers are still eligible for those) depends on the political winds in 7-8 years.. and that would be rather unpredictable. These days, the current regime really really really hates her husband's guts, so I wouldn't bet on mercy if they're still in power then.
The Chinese system can be pretty unfair when it comes to privileging well-connected people; however, to be fair, I'm not sure the US is any better these days.
In his Itroduction of the book "Liberty and Justice for Some:How The Law is Used to Destroy Equality and Protect the Powerful", Glenn Greenwald says the following:
"As a litigator who practiced for more than a decade in federal and state courts across the country, I've long been awarte of the equalities that pervade the American justice system. The rich enjoy superior legal representation and therefore much better prospects for success in court than the poor. The powerful are treated with far more difference by judges than the powerless. The same culture, socioeconomic, and demographic biases that plague society generally also infect the legal process. Few people who have had any interaction with the justice system would dispute this."
After having read the book, just maybe some of the commentators here may all wise up and be less arrogant in judging other cultures and societies which do not belong to the Anglo-Saxon tradition.
Spelt is a grain. the correct word is spelled
"has not been spelt out"
Where can we purchase spelt? Is it a good ingredient for breads?
No justice in China........you are guilty - now let's close the doors and have a trial.
A court official said：“You will be shot 。"
"What's wrong with me?",I replied。
“People must kill you。What‘s the matter？”，The judge shout loudly。
"Thus far, Bo has been accused only of grievous but unspecified rules violations." yes, Breathing without Party approval. But, then again, he is part of "The Party" isn't he. Funny, how Dr Frankenstein's Monster always seems to wring the good Doctors neck....
Not a single in the world, outside of TOTALITARIAN china gives a crap about what happens to this swoman or any other scum bag official in china.
china has a worldwide reputation of buying, stealing or just murdering populations of people to get what it wants.
Look at what this regime has done to the people and country of Tibet, may they all rot in he!! for what they have done to that country.
Now they are trying to buy Africa with their 20 billion dollar loan to those countries.
They haven''t seen a war like the one they are going to have with Africa just as soon as Africa wakes up and realizes what kind of scum bag country china really is.
Rot and die china, that is what you deserve.
You have your own opinions! The fact is that Tibet has greatly advanced towards becoming a modern civilized area under the care and leadership China! Your language is grotesque!
Are you referring to the exploitation of Tibet and of China's assault on the Buddhist religion "a greatly advanced..." step in modernization? Bad Karma from Tibet will catch up with the Chinese government in time.
You are all right!But the Tibet is a province of China.It isn't a country.
Yes, wonderful9845, you are right according to Buddhist teaching you will get what you deserve. And Chinese government, especially the Communist Party that controls it, are laden with bad karma, yes, for oppressing the innocent and pious Buddhist Tibet, and pay in full for their sins in due course. They thought because they are atheist they can escape punishment? The order of the universe is, and always will be, you harvest what you sow.
Because of their crime, China will experience a severe convulsion and natural disaster, during which those laden with guilt will be purged and destroyed.
China will be there; but new leaders will emerge and will make peace with the Dalai Lama's Tibet, and after some negotiation over defense matters and agreements signed, Tibet will be set free. Out of gratitude, the Dalai Lama will pledge to remain close with China.
You are all right!But the Tibet is a province of China.It isn't a country 。 Dalai Lama's Tibet isn't existence。
Unfortunately for Tibet, they're not a country (but I believe, personally, however, that Taiwan has a very strong claim to nationhood). They were briefly de facto independent from China early in the 20th century, after centuries of vasselage followed by centuries with an imperial governor as their head of government. That brief period of independence might've counted as a basis for a sovereignty claim if anybody else had bothered to acknowledge it. Part of the requirement under customary international law for independence is that somebody has to acknowledge it, while you are still independent or at least de facto independent, and thus in a position to articulate one's claim. Otherwise, it's just a few exiles off somewhere claiming to represent Tibetans, as far as the international law books are concerned.
Regrettably for Tibet, nobody did.. even while China was too busy fighting off the Japanese and then their civil war to care. Not a single recognized nation recognized Tibet, so when China re-annexed their territory, nobody said anything.. over even could say anything by any customary standard of international law. Now it's rather too late to argue for independence. There's no redantist argument here. Their bid for independence simply didn't stick at the one point when it might've counted, and China will make darn sure that they don't get a do-over.
If Gu is executed, will she have a final conjugal visit from Bo? Can't Bo arrange a pardon for her? How about Gu's mother - doesn't she have any influence? Will Bo be issued a replacement wife if Gu is murdered by the state? China is known for being devoid of mercy and compassion, and human life has little value. Since they freely execute female Philippines drug carriers, who have committed NO murders, it would appear they cannot avoid executing Gu. Who will pay for the casket, funeral and burial?
Bo's a crook and a thug, a la Blago or Kerik, except he actually killed many people.. ordering much thuggery. And he had a strong Stalinist inclination that harkened to the bad old days when Communist pontentates in China and Russia ordered the slaughter of millions. When you send hundreds to death and torture and arrogantly complain that you know better than do legitimate national leaders by virtue of the fact that you're an ultra-nationalist egomaniac, and say that you support policies that lead to the death of millions only half a century ago, you have no friends. And then there's the fact that the President, Premier and future president of China all hate his guts and want his dead.
Bo is toast. Political leaders in China are subject to a different justice system than normal civilians like Gu get access to. Gu at least gets what passes in China for a fair trial, access to counsel and the right to defend herself before the courts. Bo will never see a judge. He just gets torture and probably an extra-judicial bullet in the end. Leaders who fall from grace like he did, especially when they were as despised, corrupt and murderous as he was, get quick justice in China at the hands of the party's disciplinary apparatus. It's likely that he will end up paying a higher price than his wife.
I'm not Chinese, but so tea partiers and republicans can understand, this couple here would still be roaming the halls of congress buying favors for those they represent. Here they are called lobbyists, but the irony of all this is that there when caught they pay and dearly, here, they get stimulus after stimulus and no one dares to touch them with a ten ft pole.
You expect to see lawlessness in a communist country and law and order in a democracy and yet look how die hard stereo types die in all the wrong places. There, they are put in jail for life or most certainly will lose their lives. Here, they are allowed to continue roamming free getting ready for their next strike, another great depression and no one pays, only those who are dumb and don't offer the right price. Go figure!
Why is this a news? That's how China has been and will be another thousands years.
No matter how your view about China. China is going forward. A high political couple get catch 20 to 30 years age is out of imagination and it happens today. Also true is this country, it is going might not be backward but for sure is not forward. We still making troubles all over the world. Making enemies everywhere. Printing money everyday no matter its' value and most of all still think that we rule the whole world.
If you call modernization as replacing two wheel ox wagons with four wheel trucks, China is definitely in that direction. But the dark age of China has begun since the invention of its language and never ended. Their civilization is equivalent to the beginning of the Iron Age and never got better.
There is a misconception of Chinese culture as a counter part of civilization of the western hemisphere but if you truely understand the eastern culture dominated by Chinese one, one could see it as an intermediary civilization of bronze and stone age in social and philosophical aspects.
Why would anyone be surprised about corruption going on in China amongst the elite and in business. After what was done to pet food in China many years back along of other health issue problems with products made there I go out of my way to avoid buying anything made in China. Unfortunately, corruption amonst the elite is everwhere these days including the United States. So Mitt Romney where are your tax returns?
Why would anyone be surprised about corruption going on in China amongst the elite and in business？
Because Chinese Communist Party is both of the players and the judgments in the game。
A court official said：“You will be shot 。"
"What's wrong with me?",I replied。
“People must kill you。What‘s the matter？”，The judge shout loudly。
Maybe you are right. I live in Chongqing China。 There are many false message because the message was controlled by government。I only know the victim who is English。
I've seen TV episodes of "The Borgias" and six episodes of "Boss" (which is an excellent fictional series of corrupt Chicago politicians - I highly reccommend this) - I am now awaiting for this true-life Chinese murder controversy to make it on TV. Am willing to research & write the script if asked. How similar we are - all over the world. PS> Of course any CHINESE mother would murder to save her son (if she thought he was being threatened!)
We could take lessons from the Chinese on how to conduct a trial. In one day, they get it over. It took a whole year for the O.J. trial, and then people didn't like the verdict. I'll bet you one thing, though - if either one of those defendants gets the death sentence, it won't take 25 years to carry it out, like it does in the good old USA.
Their trials are shorter than ours, but y'all seem to be ignoring the fact that Gu pled no contest. That usually means she doesn't plan on putting on a defense, which would make the trial very short in any country, including China and the US. It's possible she did this as part of a plea bargain-type arrangement where they agreed she'd be given Death with 2 Years Reprieve, which basically means, if you behave yourself in jail, you'll get your death sentence commuted to life (20 years), instead of Death, which, in China, means you really do die... probably within 2 years.
Bo won't get the benefit of any of that though. As an official at the time of his crimes, he faces justice through a star chamber system they have for senior officials suspected of corruption. This basically means he's treated almost like an enemy combatant in the US: no rights, secret detention, probable torture, and, if the current leaders hate you (and they really do hate Bo), probable death. You just disappear.
Chinese law is just and swift.
Swift, yes.. but JUST???? seriously?
Not sure we're that much better, but at least we can pretend we have judicial independence. Neither system really works well for the elite and high profile cases though.
Mark my word, Gu will be properly dealt with despite her powerful husband family background. Given that she has confessed her crime and cooperated fully with the authority, she may escape the gallow but not a long jail sentence if not life.
On the other handTed Kennedy was not indicted for the complexity involving the death of Mary Jo Kopechine at Chappaquiddick. One set of law for common people, another set of law for those powerful under US judical system.
Yeah,
I saw the Trial on Court TV, and it was an action packed first day. According to Court TV....The Defense Attorney was all like: "Chin quow gui chei gue yahh ha ku ji"
Then, and Prosecutor jumped up in a fit of rage and yelled "GUI.....Shen heu chai"
But fortunately Judge When Wong got control of the proceedings with his classic command: "JUU WAH QUI SHIN CHOW.....JOOOOO ! ! !"