China expels Bo from Parliament, set for trial

BEIJING - The Associated Press

Chinese lawmakers stripped disgraced politician Bo Xilai of his last official position Oct. 26, formally expelling him from the country’s top legislature and setting the stage for criminal proceedings against the once-rising political star.

Though largely a formality since Bo was purged from the Communist Party late last month, his expulsion from the congress removes his immunity from prosecution. That sets the stage for a criminal case involving accusations of corruption and other wrongdoing, including interfering in the investigation into the murder of a British businessman. Bo’s wife and a household aide were convicted for the murder last month.

New York Times blocked
Party leaders are keen to resolve the country’s messiest political scandal in decades as they prepare for next month’s once-in-a-decade transition of power. They are handing over to the next generation of leaders, who will be tasked with shoring up public support in the face of widespread disgust over official graft and influence peddling.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have blocked the Chinese website of the New York Times and most access to the main website after it revealed that the extended family of the Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has controlled assets worth at least $2.7 billion. China’s Foreign Ministry hit out the report. “Some reports smear China and have ulterior motives,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.