Summary Prosecution demands harsh sentence as Bo's trial ends.
JINAN (AP) - A prosecutor demanded severe punishment for disgraced politician Bo Xilai because of his lack of remorse as the court ended a five-day corruption trial Monday that offered glimpses into the shady inner workings of China s elite.
The trial, aimed at cementing Bo s political downfall and wrapping up the scandal set off by his wife s murder of a British businessman, painted a colorful picture of how Bo s alleged misconduct enriched his family.
Prosecutors said the proceedings have shown adequate proof of Bo s guilt on charges of netting $4.3 million through bribes and embezzlement and abuse of power in interfering with the murder investigation.
"The defendant s crimes are extremely grave, and he also refuses to admit guilt. As such, the circumstances do not call for a lenient punishment but a severe one, in accordance with the law," the prosecutor said, according to a transcript of court proceedings.
Bo is accused of providing political favors to a businessman, Xu Ming, in return for having him at his family s beck and call. According to Bo s wife, Xu gave the family expensive gifts that included a villa in France and international airfare to three continents. Bo also is accused of funneling $800,000 in government funds from a secret project.
Bo denied the charges against him and assailed the prosecution s key witnesses his former right-hand man and his wife.
Throughout, Bo blamed his wife and others for netting the illicit money and assets, including a villa in France and funds from a secret government project, but largely denied knowledge of the misconduct.
China s newly installed leadership is hoping to move on from the scandal to cement its authority and fully focus on tackling serious economic and social challenges. Bo s downfall also has been widely perceived as the result of his defeat in party infighting ahead of last fall s once-a-decade leadership transition.
