video transcript

(ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION) A man believed to be one of Gu Kailai's lawyers and British diplomats entered a courtroom in an eastern Chinese city on Thursday (August 9) for the opening of the country's most sensational trial in three decades, a hearing into the murder of a British businessman that has rocked the Communist Party leadership. Entry to the courtroom was restricted but the diplomats were invited to be present because of the nationality of the victim. Journalists were not being allowed in, and it appeared any coverage would be only from state media outlets. The courthouse was ringed by dozens of police, with some surrounding streets blocked off with cones. The trial is expected to lead to the swift conviction of Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai, and her co-accused, a family aide, who are charged with poisoning Briton Neil Heywood last year. Bo was formerly considered a contender for the inner sanctum of power - the party's Politburo Standing Committee - in a leadership transition that is currently underway. Though many Chinese believe Gu may be guilty, they see her trial as part of a push against Bo, an ambitious populist who made powerful enemies as he campaigned to join the next generation of top central leaders.