Bo Xilai appeal accepted by Chinese court

A Chinese court has agreed to consider an appeal by former Chongqing party leader Bo Xilai.

Bo Xilai was convicted of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power last month and jailed for life.

At his trial, he denied all the charges in a fiery defense.

Bo Xilai was removed from office last year amid a scandal which saw his wife Gu Kailai convicted of the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

The announcement regarding the appeal came on the website of the high court in Shandong, the province where Bo Xilai’s trial was held.

“Within the appeal period, Bo Xilai refused to accept the court’s first instance judgement and submitted an appeal through the Shandong Jinan Intermediate People’s Court to this court,” it said.

“After the appeal period expired on 8 October, upon examination, this court decided to accept the appeal, in accordance with the law.”

No time period for the appeal was specified in the brief statement.

Bo Xilai’s downfall came as China ushered in a new generation of leaders, amid a once-in-a-decade power transfer.

The charismatic politician had been seen as a candidate for the very top, until his fall from grace.