China’s Bo Xilai to appeal against ‘unjust, unfair’ life sentence

Former senior Chinese politician Bo Xilai will appeal against his conviction and life sentence for corruption, a lawyer close to the case said on Monday, adding further drama to the high-profile trial. Bo, the key figure in China’s biggest politicalscandal for decades, had already proved unusually defiant during the sensational court proceedings.  ‘He informed the court yesterday of his request for an appeal following the verdict,’ said a lawyer with direct knowledge of the situation who asked not to be named.  Experts say the appeal should be addressed within two months but is unlikely to succeed, with the ruling Communist Party retaining strict control over the courts. The court in the eastern city of Jinan sentenced Bo on Sunday after a trial that exposed intrigue and wealth at senior levels of the party.