JINAN, China — Disgraced politician Bo Xilai denied taking $3.5 million in bribes from businessmen and cross-examined one of them with a lawyer’s precision, launching an unexpectedly spirited defence at the trial aimed at capping China’s biggest scandal in decades. It appeared to be a last-ditch effort by the former political star to repair his carefully cultivated reputation as a man of the people.
Prosecutors ended months of suspense about the details of his charges, rolling out accusations that featured a villa in France, a hot-air balloon project and a football club, giving a glimpse of how colourful corruption can look in China.
Bo’s verbal sparring displayed the media-savvy politician’s keen sense of how to portray himself well in tough situations. He thanked the judge for letting him speak, asserted that he was pressured into making a confession and was selectively contrite.