Update | Bo Xilai prepares for his 'last stand' against life verdict
Disgraced politician readies speech for hearing on outcome of his fight to overturn life jail term in what is expected to be last public appearance
Disgraced politician Bo Xilai will make a court appearance on Friday to hear the outcome of his appeal against his conviction on three charges and sentence to life imprisonment last month, according to sources.
"Bo is preparing to make a statement in court, but the authorities may not allow him to do that," said one of the two sources, who did not want to be named. "He is in good health and mental condition at Qincheng prison."
The Shandong Provincial Higher People's Court said on its website yesterday that it would "announce a decision regarding the bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power case of the appellant Bo Xilai" on Friday morning. The court said the hearing would be "open", but gave no details.
The two sources, who have direct knowledge of the case, said Bo (pictured) would make what could be his last public appearance at the hearing, a rare act under the mainland's court system, which commonly handles appeals in secret.
The higher court is expected to uphold the decision made by the Jinan Intermediate People's Court last month.
In theory, Bo still has the right to seek redress after Friday's ruling by complaining to the Supreme People's Court, but his chances of success are extremely slim, said prominent rights lawyer Mo Shaoping .
More than 100 people attended the hearing at the Jinan court on September 22, including Bo's family members and reporters from state media. As the court announced the verdict, Bo erupted in anger and yelled "Unfair!" and "Unjust!" in an explosive ending to the country's most politically charged trial in decades.
