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Beijing 'ready to begin' trying associates of Zhou Yongkang

Authorities reportedly ready to begin trying associates of ex-Politburo Standing Committee member - the first act in a huge graft case

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Many officials like former Sichuan deputy party chief Li Chuncheng (left) and former Sichuan vice-governor Guo Yongxiang (right) linked to Zhou Yongkang. Photos: AFP, Reuters, SCMP

Mainland authorities are ready to put a group of officials and businesspeople connected with former state leader Zhou Yongkang on trial, say sources familiar with the situation.

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The proceedings could start as early as next month and would be carried out one by one, they said. These will pave the way for a possible public hearing for Zhou, who could become the highest-ranking party official to face trial for economic crimes.

Zhou will first be ousted from the Communist Party. This will probably take place after a leadership meeting in October. His case would then be transferred to judicial authorities to prepare for a public hearing, one of the sources said.

That person added that Zhou's trial could be handled in a format similar to that of Bo Xilai, a political ally of Zhou and the former party chief of Chongqing.

Bo, who was jailed for life last year, was given a public trial that attracted media attention around the world.

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While only a few mainland journalists were allowed to attend, the trial was publicised through regular but heavily censored updates on an official court blog.

The corruption investigation into Zhou, a former Politburo Standing Committee member, was only announced on July 29. But many officials and businesspeople linked to him were detained and questioned as early as late 2012 - when graft investigators targeted former Sichuan deputy party chief Li Chuncheng.

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