China Confirms: Bo Xilai Going to Prison for Life

A court today upheld ousted politician Bo Xilai's conviction and life sentence for corruption and abuse of power in the final decision of one of China's most politically charged trials in decades. The denial of Bo's appeal by the Shandong Provincial Higher People's Court came as no surprise, with many political analysts saying such an outcome was predetermined by Communist Party leaders keen to put Bo away long enough to prevent him from making a comeback.

Bo, a former Politburo member and party boss in Chongqing, was convicted last month of embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power and sentenced to life in prison. State broadcaster CCTV showed Bo in court wearing a black jacket over a white shirt, faintly smiling as he stood flanked by two tall uniformed guards, his un-cuffed hands clasped in front of him. The court said Bo's offenses "led to extremely severe social consequences and caused major damage to the interest of the country and the people," according to the court's website.