From Wall Street Journal:
The first in a series of trials got under way in China’s western municipality of Chongqing that may reveal how senior police officials conspired with local gangsters to run rackets in one of the country’s biggest cities. It is also the latest reminder of the government’s challenge in rooting out corruption.
In a sensational sweep that started in June, authorities have formally arrested hundreds of government officials, police officers and alleged gang members in a crackdown on organized crime in Chongqing. Authorities have said they are investigating crimes including bribery and extortion, and have grabbed headlines by putting forward evidence of drug dealing and gun possession.
The first trials in the probe began Monday at Chongqing’s No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court and No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court, judiciary officials said. They declined to discuss case specifics, but confirmed state-run media reports that the courts plan to launch other cases over coming days.
