Wang Lijun to stand trial in Chengdu Sept. 17-18: Boxun
Staff Reporter 2012-09-15 12:01 (GMT+8)
A courtroom in China. (File Photo/Xinhua)
Former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun is reportedly to stand trial on Sept. 17-18 at the intermediate court in Chengdu, according to Boxun News, a Chinese-language citizen journalism website sourced by anonymous users that often makes claims that are difficult to prove.
Fittingly, the provincial capital of Sichuan in southwestern China is the scene of the crime for Wang, as it was his flight to the city's US consulate in February that triggered China's biggest political scandal in 20 years and led directly to the downfall of Chongqing's party chief Bo Xilai. Fearing reprisals from his former boss, Wang stayed at the consulate for 30 hours in and conveyed to US officials evidence of the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood by Bo's wife, Gu Kailai.
Bo, previously tipped for promotion to a top leadership position, was subsequently dismissed as Chongqing party chief and suspended from his senior party positions for "serious discipline violations" which may include corruption and trying to cover up the murder, which took place at a hotel in Chongqing in November last year. Gu was given a suspended death sentence for the murder on Sept. 5, while four senior police officers under Wang's command were found guilty of fixing evidence to cover up the crime in a trial a day later. Bo's name was not mentioned in either trial.
While Gu's trial was carefully stage-managed and state news agency Xinhua gave a lengthy official account, the details of Wang's trial have remained wrapped in mystery. Boxun's source said Beijing is keeping the date of Wang's trial confidential and has forbidden Wang's family and lawyer to talk to reporters. It has also told the court and prosecutor's office in Chengdu not to release details and punish anyone who leaks information.
A senior official from the court's security told the media he was certain that Wang will be tried in Chengdu but no one knows when, not even his superior and party commissioner. His office may need to coordinate with national security authorities given the high profile and secrecy of Wang's trial.
One source who claimed to have worked with Wang at the police department in the city of Tieling in the northeastern province of Liaoning earlier in his career, told Boxun he had originally believed Wang would only be charged with attempted defection and handed a prison sentence of around seven to eight years, of which he may not serve the full term. However, since Wang has been indicted on multiple charges including bending the law for his own gain, defection, abuse of power and taking bribes, charges that would indicate a sentence of life imprisonment at least, the source said this indicates that someone higher up has ordained that Wang the whistleblower will pay a high price as a victim of a political power struggle.
Boxun said the legal procedures for Wang have been manipulated by high-ranking officials in Beijing who have already set the sentence for the former police chief. Wang achieved considerable fame as the gang-busting right-hand man of Bo Xilai. But unlike Bo, he cannot seek protection behind the name of a revolutionary hero father.
