Further details about the former Chongqing police chief whose dramatic attempt to defect to the US brought down political heavyweight Bo Xilai and unleashed China's biggest political storm in decades have emerged as Beijing begins briefing senior officials in Hong Kong about the case.
According to sources who attended the latest briefing in Shenzhen, central government leaders concluded that Wang Lijun had 'tried to defect' - which in theory is punishable with the death penalty - but said that he had partly made up for his crimes by making 'contributions' - a reference to his co-operation with the investigation into Bo.
'The senior officials said Wang had attempted to defect but he has atoned for his crime by doing some good deeds,' a source said, suggesting Wang might escape execution.
The details were disclosed after senior executives of major mainland-funded enterprises and institutions in Hong Kong were called to a secluded guesthouse in Shenzhen last week for a briefing about the Bo Xilai affair and the central leadership's view of the case, according to sources.
While the official account of Bo's downfall has been circulated internally for weeks, the latest briefing suggests that Beijing may soon publicise its final view on Bo, his wife, Gu Kailai - who has been detained on suspicion of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood - and Wang, the princeling politician's former henchman.
Beijing is apparently eager to bring a swift conclusion to the case, with the Communist Party's most important leadership reshuffle in a decade only months away.