A Chinese court Friday rejected the appeal of former party leader Bo Xilai and upheld his life sentence.
Bo was once a member of the powerful Communist Party Politburo and served as the party secretary in the industrial region of Chongqing.
He wasn’t expected to win his appeal to the Shandong Provincial Higher People’s Court.
Bo was booted from the party in 2012 after his wife was convicted in the murder of a British businessman who had threatened to expose her overseas wealth. Bo was accused of trying to cover up his wife’s role.
He was put on trial in September for corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power. The trial was held in the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in eastern China. Bo denied all charges and said his prosecution was politically motivated.
His father, Bo Yibo, was also jailed but went on to earn respect as a leader of the Communist Party’s Cultural Revolution. Bo has also vowed to one day clear his name.
Bo isn’t entitled to further appeals so his life sentence now looks final.
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Richard L. Cassin is the Publisher and Editor of the FCPA Blog. He can be contacted here.
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