Bo Xilai scandal: Wang Lijun trial starts

17 September 2012 Last updated at 20:11 ET Help

The trial has begun in secret of the former police chief at the heart of China's biggest political scandal in years.

Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking. He triggered events leading to the downfall of powerful politician Bo Xilai when he briefly fled to a US consulate in February.

Mr Bo's wife has since been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

The trial had been expected to start in Chengdu on Tuesday, but Mr Wang's lawyer Wang Yuncai said the hearing had started earlier on Monday.

John Sudworth reports.

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