Wife of controversial Chinese politician charged with murder
By Steven Jiang, CNN
updated 10:54 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
Gu Kailai is suspected of killing British businessman Neil Heywood, pictured here in an undated photo.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Bo Xilai had been one of China's most prominent politicians
A family aide is also charged
British businessman Neil Heywood was found dead in a hotel in November
Beijing (CNN) -- The wife of controversial Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been formally charged with murder, the state-run Xinhua news agency said Thursday.
She is Gu Kailai, suspected of killing British businessman Neil Heywood.
Her husband had been one of the country's most prominent politicians until he was sacked as the chief of Chongqing in what has been seen as a political power struggle.
He remains under house arrest and is under investigation for flouting Communist Party discipline.
Bo Xilai's wife arrested in Briton death Brother of Bo Xilai resigns Will scandal bring change to China? Bo Xilai insider goes public
Zhang Xiaojun, a family aide, was formally charged along with Gu.
Read more: 'Jackie Kennedy' of China focus of murder probe
Chinese authorities announced that the two were arrested earlier this year on suspicion of intentional homicide and had been jailed.
Authorities say Gu and her son came into conflict with Heywood over "economic interests."
They said she regarded Heywood as a threat to her son's safety. Gu and Zhang poisoned Heywood, authorities said.
The two are awaiting trial in Hefei, the capital of eastern China's Anhui province.
Heywood was found dead in a hotel in the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing in November. Initially, the cause of death was reportedly found to be excessive alcohol consumption, and his body was cremated without an autopsy.
In early February, Heywood's name was thrown into a media spotlight when Bo's former police chief, Wang Lijun, spectacularly sought refuge for a day inside a U.S. consulate.
Wang wanted political asylum, apparently fearing for his life and allegedly holding incriminating information against Bo. Media reports and online posts claim Wang clashed with Bo after suggesting the British man had been poisoned amid a business dispute with Bo's wife.
Britain asked China earlier this year to investigate the matter further after being informed of growing concern about Heywood's case.
"The details of the ongoing investigation are a matter for the Chinese authorities," a Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement Thursday. "However we are glad to see that the Chinese authorities are continuing with the investigation into the death of Neil Heywood. We are dedicated to seeking justice for him and his family and we will be following developments closely."
Read more: Investing in China just grew murkier
Speculation has been rife about the nature of Heywood's work in China and his ties to Bo's family.
Heywood had lived in China for more than a decade and was married to a Chinese woman. Among the companies Heywood advised was Hakluyt and Co., a consulting firm founded by former officers of the British spy agency MI6.
That link fueled rumors that Heywood might have had connections to British intelligence services.
But British Foreign Secretary William Hague denied that possibility.
"Mr. Heywood was not an employee of the British government in any capacity," he said in a letter.
Hague noted that government policy is usually "neither to confirm nor deny speculation of this sort."
But he said he was making an exception "given the intense interest in this case."
Read more: Inside China's murder mystery hotel
http://www.cnn.com
By Steven Jiang, CNN
updated 10:54 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
Gu Kailai is suspected of killing British businessman Neil Heywood, pictured here in an undated photo.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Bo Xilai had been one of China's most prominent politicians
A family aide is also charged
British businessman Neil Heywood was found dead in a hotel in November
Beijing (CNN) -- The wife of controversial Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been formally charged with murder, the state-run Xinhua news agency said Thursday.
She is Gu Kailai, suspected of killing British businessman Neil Heywood.
Her husband had been one of the country's most prominent politicians until he was sacked as the chief of Chongqing in what has been seen as a political power struggle.
He remains under house arrest and is under investigation for flouting Communist Party discipline.
Bo Xilai's wife arrested in Briton death Brother of Bo Xilai resigns Will scandal bring change to China? Bo Xilai insider goes public
Zhang Xiaojun, a family aide, was formally charged along with Gu.
Read more: 'Jackie Kennedy' of China focus of murder probe
Chinese authorities announced that the two were arrested earlier this year on suspicion of intentional homicide and had been jailed.
Authorities say Gu and her son came into conflict with Heywood over "economic interests."
They said she regarded Heywood as a threat to her son's safety. Gu and Zhang poisoned Heywood, authorities said.
The two are awaiting trial in Hefei, the capital of eastern China's Anhui province.
Heywood was found dead in a hotel in the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing in November. Initially, the cause of death was reportedly found to be excessive alcohol consumption, and his body was cremated without an autopsy.
In early February, Heywood's name was thrown into a media spotlight when Bo's former police chief, Wang Lijun, spectacularly sought refuge for a day inside a U.S. consulate.
Wang wanted political asylum, apparently fearing for his life and allegedly holding incriminating information against Bo. Media reports and online posts claim Wang clashed with Bo after suggesting the British man had been poisoned amid a business dispute with Bo's wife.
Britain asked China earlier this year to investigate the matter further after being informed of growing concern about Heywood's case.
"The details of the ongoing investigation are a matter for the Chinese authorities," a Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement Thursday. "However we are glad to see that the Chinese authorities are continuing with the investigation into the death of Neil Heywood. We are dedicated to seeking justice for him and his family and we will be following developments closely."
Read more: Investing in China just grew murkier
Speculation has been rife about the nature of Heywood's work in China and his ties to Bo's family.
Heywood had lived in China for more than a decade and was married to a Chinese woman. Among the companies Heywood advised was Hakluyt and Co., a consulting firm founded by former officers of the British spy agency MI6.
That link fueled rumors that Heywood might have had connections to British intelligence services.
But British Foreign Secretary William Hague denied that possibility.
"Mr. Heywood was not an employee of the British government in any capacity," he said in a letter.
Hague noted that government policy is usually "neither to confirm nor deny speculation of this sort."
But he said he was making an exception "given the intense interest in this case."
Read more: Inside China's murder mystery hotel
http://www.cnn.com