The Chinese police chief who expressed concerns to the US Consulate over the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood has been charged with taking bribes.
Wang Lijun initially fled to the US Consulate in Chengdu to expose former Chinese politician Bo Xilai's involvement in the murder of Mr Heywood. The information he gave the Americans ultimately led to Gu Kailai, Bo's wife, standing trial.
Wang Lijun, who was understood to have sought asylum in the US Consulate, has been charged with defection, power abuse, and bribe taking, according to China's Xinhua news agency.
Mr Wang claimed he had gone to the consulate in fear - believing Bo Xilai wanted to have him killed. It was suggested the powerful Mr Bo refused to protect his police chief who was being investigated over corruption allegations.
There were unconfirmed reports that after Mr Wang fled to Chengdu, Bo Xilai sent some of his officers to try to get Lijun back, operating outside the jurisdiction of the Chongqing police.
Mr Wang first become a police officer in Liaoning in 1984. In 2008 he was appointed deputy police chief in Chongqing where he was instrumental in running a concerted crackdown against organised crime.
The charges against him come at the end of a visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The move could be seen by some as timed to send a message to Washington that China would object to any foreign involvement in its politics.
Mr Heywood was found dead in his hotel room in Chongqing last November. For 20 years he had worked in China, introducing British clients to the country's wealthy and powerful.
Police said he had died of excessive alcohol or a heart attack.
