Military veterans demand public trial of deputy logistics chief Gu Junshan
Keeping case in public eye 'would show resolve' in tackling military corruption
People's Liberation Army veterans and legal experts have called for a public trial of the disgraced deputy logistics chief Gu Junshan, so the Communist Party can show its resolve in cleaning up the military.
The calls come despite strong hints it will be a closed-door trial.
Gu, a lieutenant general, has been charged with embezzlement, bribery, misuse of state funds and abuse of power by the military procuratorate, or prosecutor's office.
Dr Zeng Zhiping , a retired lieutenant colonel and military law expert, said he and many other officers believed the Central Military Commission (CMC) should hold an open trial of Gu, just as the government did with former Chonqing party head Bo Xilai last year.
"Gu's case has severely tarnished the military's and state's image," Zeng said. "An open trial of Gu would also help improve the PLA's transparency and benefit the army's anti-corruption efforts in the longer term.
"[Besides,] his case only involves economic corruption, not military secrets."
Gu is the highest-ranking officer to stand trial on such charges since Vice-Admiral Wang Shouye in 2006. Wang received a suspended death sentence for embezzlement.