{"id":161572,"date":"2013-08-15T19:24:30","date_gmt":"2013-08-16T02:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/?p=161572"},"modified":"2013-08-15T19:44:04","modified_gmt":"2013-08-16T02:44:04","slug":"critics-supporters-pressured-ahead-of-bo-xilai-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2013\/08\/critics-supporters-pressured-ahead-of-bo-xilai-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Critics & Supporters Pressured Ahead of Bo Xilai Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"

Asahi Shimbun’s Nozomi Hayashi reports that both supporters and critics of fallen Chongqing Party chief Bo Xilai face pressure<\/strong><\/a> as his trial looms. Chongqing civil servant and Bo critic Fang Hong has been detained since July 30th, while journalist and supporter Song Yangbiao was also held<\/a> for over a week before being released on Monday.<\/p>\n

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When Bo was indicted on July 25 in Jinan, Shandong province, Fang submitted a request with his superior seeking time off work because he wanted to personally follow the outcome of Bo\u2019s trial.<\/p>\n

Local police got wind of that request.<\/p>\n

In a telephone interview with The Asahi Shimbun, Fang said the police told him, \u201cYou cannot leave here until the trial is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u2026] According to a Hong Kong paper, fliers have been posted in Jinan that state, \u201cDo not allow Qin Hui to try Yue Fei.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yue Fei is a patriotic general of the 12th century who is well-known in Chinese history. Qin Hui is widely regarded as a traitor for persecuting Yue Fei. [Source<\/a><\/strong>]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Probably stronger historical precedents exist<\/a> for ongoing efforts to blame Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, for his downfall<\/strong><\/a>. The latest such accusations come from Bo’s own siblings, according to Keith Zhai at South China Morning Post:<\/p>\n

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One of the sources is friends with Bo’s younger brother, Bo Xicheng, and sister, Bo Xiaoying, and said both have complained about Gu.<\/p>\n

“They blamed the disgrace of Bo on his failed marriage with Gu,” said the source, who has been close to the Bo family for decades.<\/p>\n

“They see their brother as an aspiring politician who was seduced by his greedy wife.”<\/p>\n

The person added that Gu had alienated Bo Xilai from his family members. [Source<\/a><\/strong>]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The New York Times’ Chris Buckley commented:<\/p>\n

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@pjmooney<\/a> @SCMP_News<\/a> Like blaming all of Mao's misdeeds on Jiang Qing. Maoist redemption for a faux Maoist.<\/p>\n

— Chris Buckley \u50a8\u767e\u4eae (@ChuBailiang) August 16, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n