The trial of Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced Chongqing party boss Bo Xilai, is expected to begin in less than two weeks, while a family lawyer made a surprise announcement that he would not be defending her.
Beijing-based lawyer Shen Zhigeng said the trial of Gu and family employee Zhang Xiaojun would begin on August 7 or 8 in Hefei, Anhui province. The two have been charged with murdering British businessman Neil Heywood.
The Gu family reportedly hired Shen last month. But Shen, who was in Hong Kong yesterday, said: 'I will not attend the opening of the trial.'
Reuters quoted him as saying: 'She will be represented by another lawyer recommended by the local lawyers' association.'
It was not clear if the decision was made by the Bo family, or by the government, nor the reason behind it.
The authorities sometimes impose restrictions on defendants choosing lawyers, especially in sensitive cases, and ask the local lawyers' association to assign a lawyer.