Parliament expels Bo Xilai

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BEIJING, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Chinese Parliament Friday expelled disgraced Bo Xilai, a step that could lead to the once superstar politician facing trial on several accusations.

"The Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (Parliament) on Friday announced the termination of Bo Xilai's post as the NPC deputy," the official Xinhua news agency said in a brief report.

Bo, the former powerful head of the Chinese Communist Party in Chongqing and a rising political star before his downfall over a series of scandals that have rocked the country recently, had earlier been expelled from the party and also removed from public office by the Political Bureau of the party Central Committee after being accused of abuse of power, violating party discipline and others.

Friday's parliamentary action meant Bo has lost his immunity from prosecution.

In August, Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, received a suspended death sentence in the poisoning death of British businessman Neil Heywood. Later, Bo's former deputy and police chief was also sentenced to a jail term.

The scandals surrounding Bo have surfaced at a time when the Communist Party, needing to maintain its image both at home and abroad, prepares for its once-in-a-decade change of leadership later this year.

"There is conviction across China that the CPC Central Committee's handling of Bo's case reflected the CPC's clear stand and steadfast determination to fight corruption," Xinhua had reported earlier.

"Cadres and citizens have vowed to concentrate on their work and wholeheartedly promote development, so as to prepare for the upcoming 18th CPC National Congress with perfect achievements."

The official news agency said many had "agreed that Bo's violations had caused negative consequences to the party and the country."

During the time he was the party boss in Chongqing, Bo had been popular, enjoying much local support.