Struck-off lawyer expects 'light' sentence for Bo Xilai
Detained former Chongqing party chief Bo Xilai may face trial in September and possibly receive lenient punishment, says a former Beijing-based lawyer who made his name defending an alleged triad boss in the southwestern municipality during Bo's heyday.
Detained former Chongqing party chief Bo Xilai may face trial in September and possibly receive lenient punishment, says a former Beijing-based lawyer who made his name defending an alleged triad boss in the southwestern municipality during Bo's heyday.
"He will probably get a light sentence," Li Zhuang said in Hong Kong yesterday when asked to comment on Bo's case.
Bo - aside from his corruption - actually sabotaged the country's rule of law in his four years of fascist-style rule over Chongqing
Li spent 18 months in prison and had his law licence revoked for fabricating evidence while he defended Gong Gangmo, a billionaire gangster in Chongqing, in late 2009.
Facing the death penalty, Gong informed on his lawyer and instead received a life sentence for a string of convictions including attempted murder, racketeering, possession of firearms and drug-running. Gong had all his assets confiscated, including many legitimate businesses.
"Unlike Liu Zhijun, the disgraced former railways minister who simply took 60 million yuan (HK$75 million) or so in bribes, Bo - aside from his corruption - actually sabotaged the country's rule of law in his four years of fascist-style rule over Chongqing," Li said, adding that he had no idea whether such political wrongdoings would be included in Bo's indictment.
Li is in town to give a public speech at the Hong Kong Book Fair tomorrow.