Defiant Bo comes out fighting at trial
Former political star scores some points
JINAN, China — It was billed as China’s biggest political show trial in decades, and Bo Xilai did not disappoint, mounting an extraordinary defence that left large swaths of the case against him in tatters.
By the end of a gruelling 11-hourlong first day, the 64-year-old maverick Chinese leader had raised the intriguing possibility that he might even defeat what was supposed to be a carefully scripted conviction for corruption and abuse of power.
As small groups of his supporters outside the court braved the largest police presence the eastern city of Jinan has ever seen, Bo poured scorn on the prosecution case and said his previous confession had been made under duress.
“I have made it very clear that it was written under circumstances when I was suffering some improper pressure,” said Bo.
“At the time I thought there was nothing I could do to save myself.”
Allowed by the presiding judge, Wang Xuguang, to speak freely, Bo pushed the billionaire Xu Ming, the most important witness against him, into a corner under cross examination.
Xu, 42, is alleged to have funnelled millions of dollars to Bo’s family and to have bought him a $3.1-million holiday home in the hills overlooking Cannes in the south of France.
Xu, the only witness called by the prosecution on the first day, told the court that he had paid for a $15,000 holiday in Africa for Bo’s second son, Bo Guagua and a friend. He said in 2001 he had paid off the then-13-year-old Guagua’s $46,700 credit card bill.
In a blow to prosecutors, he was forced to concede, after being peppered with questions by Bo, that the defendant might not have directly known of his largesse, despite it being designed to win his favour. The politician claimed that the billionaire was his wife’s friend, not his, and that he had little idea of what was occurring.
“Did you say anything to me privately to indicate that if I helped you with your projects you would reward me?” asked Bo. “No, never,” said Xu. “Did you say anything to me about your (financial) support of Bo Guagua and that you reimbursed his flights, credit card and bought him an electric scooter? Did you tell me about Africa? Did you say you would pay for them?” Bo continued.
“No,” said Xu, one of seven consecutive negative responses that left many Chinese starting to doubt the government’s case against Bo.
Nor was Xu’s testimony the only evidence challenged by Bo.
He dismissed the testimony of his wife, Gu Kailai, who was convicted of the murder of the British businessman Neil Heywood last year, as “ridiculous.”
The trial continues.