Former Chongqing police chief faces charges

Wang Lijun, Chongqing's former vice mayor and police chief, has been charged with bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking by the Chengdu City People's Procuratorate, Xinhua learned from authorities on Wednesday.

The prosecuting body filed the charges against Wang with the Intermediate People's Court of Chengdu City, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

During the investigation period, the prosecuting body informed the defendant of his right to retain defense counsel.

The prosecuting body also interrogated the defendant, heard the opinions of the defense counsel and examined all the case files.

According to the indictment issued by the Chengdu City People's Procuratorate, although the defendant Wang Lijun, then-vice mayor of Chongqing as well as chief of the municipality's Public Security Bureau, had known beforehand that Bogu Kailai was under serious suspicion of murdering Neil Heywood, he consciously neglected his duty and bent the law for personal gain so that Bogu Kailai would not be held legally responsible. Wang was indicted for the crime of bending the law for personal gain.

Prosecutors said Wang, while he was performing his official duty, left his post without authorization and defected to the United States Consulate General in Chengdu. He was also indicted for the crime of defection.

According to prosecutors, Wang illegally used technical reconnaissance measures, either without the approval of authorities or by forging approval documents. He was indicted for the crime of power abuse. Wang also took advantage of his position and accepted massive bribes in a bid to secure benefits for other individuals. He was indicted for the crime of bribe-taking.

Prosecutors said facts related to Wang Lijun's crimes were clear; the evidence was concrete and abundant. According to the law, he should be prosecuted for the crimes of bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking.

The Chengdu City Intermediate People's Court has accepted the case and will hold a trial at a later date.