Bo's trial ends, verdict to be announced later

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Bo's trial ends, verdict to be announced later

(Xinhua) 21:14, August 26, 2013

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JINAN, Aug. 26 -- The trial of Bo Xilai, charged with bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power, concluded at 1:04 p.m. Monday at Jinan Intermediate People's Court.

The verdict will be announced at a date yet to be decided.

On Monday morning, prosecutors summarized their case and demanded a heavy sentence for Bo, while the defendant made a 90-minute statement denying the charges. His lawyers also made defending statements.

The evidence presented in court and during cross-examination fully demonstrated clear facts and evidence is sufficient to charge Bo with the crimes, said prosecutors.

The facts of the crimes are objective and will not be altered by the defendant's own will, they stressed.

The fact-finding is based on all the evidence presented in the case and any attempts to deny or overturn the facts are in vain, prosecutors said.

Although the country's legal system has a principle of tempering justice with mercy, a heavy sentence in line with the law should be handed to Bo, as he committed very serious crimes and refused to plead guilty, said the prosecution.

"Additionally, he is not subject to any terms of leniency by law," they said.

During the discussion, Bo still denied the charges, insisting that he was not aware of or involved in the crimes, and questioned the credibility of witness testimony.

His defending lawyers expressed opinions concerning the motive of the defendant, the credibility of evidence and validity of evidence collection.

The presiding judge heard the opinions from both sides.

After the court debate, the defendant made a final statement.

The court will carefully and comprehensively review the evidence, fully consider opinions from both sides and make a judgement based on the facts and laws following deliberation by judges and discussion by the judicial committee, said a court spokesman after the trial.

Bo was emotionally stable during the trial, which was held Aug. 22 to 26. More than 100 people, including Bo's family and relatives, deputies to people's congresses, political advisors, ordinary citizens and journalists observed the trial.

The defense lawyers, hired with Bo's consent, paid Bo more than 20 visits before and during the trial.

After the trial, Bo's defending lawyer, Li Guifang, told Xinhua that they had read all case files, copied relevant evidence and fully exchanged views on defense strategies with Bo during the visits.

Bo, 64, is former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and a former member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.