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Closing Arguments to Begin in China's Bo Xilai Trial


A minivan believed to be carrying disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai (C) arrives at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court ahead of Bo's fourth-day trial in Jinan, Shandong province Aug. 25, 2013.
A minivan believed to be carrying disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai (C) arrives at the Jinan Intermediate People's Court ahead of Bo's fourth-day trial in Jinan, Shandong province Aug. 25, 2013.
Closing arguments are expected Monday in the sensational corruption trial of disgraced Chinese politician and former Politburo Bo Xilai.

Bo is accused of taking bribes from a wealthy businessman, embezzlement, and abuse of power.

In his final day of testimony Sunday, Bo called his former top aide, ex-Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun, a liar. Wang had told the court that Bo tried to cover up his wife's involvement in the 2011 murder of a British businessman.

Bo said his wife is "insane" and her testimony "laughable." He admitted making mistakes, but denied any criminal activities.

Chinese Communist leaders removed Bo as party secretary of Chongqing last year and threw him out of the Politburo when Wang accused him of involvement in the murder. Bo is also charged with stealing $800,000 in government money set aside for a construction project.

Prosecutors say British businessman Briton Neil Heywood was killed over a financial dispute with Bo's wife, who was convicted of the murder last year and given a suspended death sentence. She will likely spend the rest of her life in prison.

The trial in the eastern city of Jinan is unusual for China. It is closed to Western media, but courtroom transcripts are being posted on social media. Chinese observers say China's top political leaders have already decided that Bo is guilty and he will get a long prison term.
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