In crumpled shirt Bo Xilai stands before his judges: Under China’s strict security precautions fallen political star is made due to corruption of the process, after a year in detention. His followers observe the procedures online and worry about his health.

On Thursday morning at half past eight clock early counts of micro-blog account of the Intermediate People’s Court of Jinan 61,280 followers. 20 minutes later there are 85,000, 100,000, a half hour later, and at 10.30 clock when the transaction is interrupted briefly, there are 176,000.

Before the court is Bo Xilai, until a year ago, one of China’s most powerful politician, first mayor of the port city of Dalian, then trade minister, then governor of the city-province of Chongqing and Politburo member of the Communist Party.

The majority of the Chinese are not particularly interested in their political leaders, but if they are interested in one, then it is the charming, cold-blooded, ascended rapidly and deeply fallen Bo. A year ago, his wife Gu Kailai was convicted for the murder of a British businessman to death, must now, after almost a year of detention, responsible for her husband on charges of corruption, bribery and abuse of power.

“Secretary, how are you?” asks Cao Tu Gong on the short message service SinaWeibo, “secretary, did you have breakfast?” Bo was always popular, even after his fall, his fans worry about him. “Has he taken?”, “Is he wearing a beard?” “Pictures, damn, finally shows pictures!” call them on the duty court Blogger. The court can wait. At half past eight the accused is led into the hall, and shortly afterwards his name, his judges, the prosecutors and the defense will be read – no picture.

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