Source: Bo Xilai trial expected in August

Beijing is preparing to put ex-Chongqing party chief Bo Xilai on trial as soon as August, possibly in Shandong province’s capital city of Jinan, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing two unnamed sources. An internal document issued by the party’s General Office said Bo would be tried on charges of taking US$3.3 million (RMB20 million) in bribes via his wife, embezzling US$815,000 and abusing power. The trial could start in mid- or late August and is expected to take place in the Intermediate People’s Court of Jinan, according to sources. Various media organizations have been reporting similar news but with different start dates for the trial.