Early trial for ex-police chief

The former police chief at the centre of China’s worst political scandal in decades has gone on trial in a closed hearing involving state secrets.

Wang Lijun’s hearing started unexpectedly yesterday – a day earlier than the court in the central city of Chengdu had announced. Defence lawyer Wang Yuncai said the hearing examined the charges of defection and abuse of power, and involved state secrets.

Wang, 52, fled to the US Consulate in Chengdu in February and divulged the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood, resulting in the removal of his boss, Bo Xilai, from the communist leadership, the conviction of Mr Bo’s wife for murder, and friction amid Chinese leaders.

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