Bo's trial ends, verdict to be announced

The trial of disgraced Chinese Communist party leader Bo Xilai, accused of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power, concluded Monday afternoon at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court.

The court will announce the verdict at a date to be decided later, Xinhua reported.

The 64-year-old Bo is a former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and a former member of the Central Committee Political Bureau.

During the four-hour trial Monday morning, the prosecution and defence engaged in a debate over the facts of the crime and application of the law, said Liu Yanjie, the court spokesman at a press briefing Monday afternoon.

The facts are clear and the evidence is reliable and sufficient, Liu quoted the prosecutors as saying.

The prosecution demanded a heavy sentence in line with the law, as Bo committed very serious crimes, he said.

Bo defended himself while his defence lawyers delivered their opinions on the fact-finding, evidence and nature of the defendant's conduct, Liu said.

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

"The four-and-a-half-day trial showed that the court followed legal procedures throughout the proceedings and the defendant and his lawyers fully expressed their opinions with their rights under protection," Liu said.

To ensure transparency and openness, the court chose the largest courtroom for this trial and allowed more than 100 people to observe the trial, Liu said.

The court also briefed the media twice a day and published trial information on its official microblogging site, he added.