China court verdict on Bo Xilai on Sep 22

Bo has been charged with bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power

A court in China Wednesday announced that it will deliver its verdict in the case of Bo Xilai, former member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) central committee, Sep 22.

Bo was charged with bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power at a trial held Aug 22-26 at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong province, Xinhua reported.

One of the rising stars of the CPC, Bo, 64, is also a former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee.

At the trial, prosecutors demanded a heavy sentence for Bo, while he denied most of the charges.

On Aug 26, prosecutors delivered a summary statement for his prosecution and Bo made a 90-minute statement defending himself, followed by his lawyers' defending statement.

The two sides expressed their opinions on the facts, evidence and application of laws.

According to the indictment, Bo took advantage of his position as a civil servant to seek gains for others, as well as 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, the document said.

The CPC central committee announced in April 2012 its decision to suspend Bo's membership of the central committee as well as the political bureau.

The CPC central commission for discipline also filed a case of investigation against Bo for serious violations of party discipline.