Frenchman in Heywood scandal returns to China ‘of own free will’

He also thanked the Cambodian government for freeing him and the immigration
police for receiving him “warmly in recent weeks”. The police video then
shows Mr Devillers being taken through immigration control. His passport is
stamped twice and he is led away to a waiting area.

French diplomats in Shanghai declined to comment on Mr Devillers’ return to
China or discuss his current whereabouts.

Chinese authorities hope Mr Devillers can help shed light on the financial
dealings of Mr Bo and Ms Gu. Last month Cambodia’s Information Minister,
Khieu Kanharith, claimed Mr Devillers had been “keeping money” for Ms Gu
amid accusations she had used her overseas connections to channel $6bn out
of China.

Mr Devillers is believed to have become close to the couple during the 1990s,
when he was living with his then wife in Dalian, where Mr Bo was mayor.

The architect subsequently went into business with Ms Gu and is believed to
have shared an address with her in Bournemouth for at least three years.

There has been speculation that Mr Devillers’ return could indicate that Ms Gu
will be tried in the near future. Rumours have also surfaced that Mr Bo may
have undergone treatment for a heart condition, something which might
postpone his trial until after the leadership transition in the autumn.

But one well-placed source in Chongqing said he doubted Mr Bo’s trial would be
delayed.

“Even if Bo is in poor health, it would not affect his trial since it would be
a political trial, not a criminal or civil trial,” the source said.

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