Cambodia detained Patrick Henri Devillers on 13 June at Beijing's request. He apparently chose to testify in the trial against Bo and his wife Gu Kailai. Devillers and Neil Heywood, a British businessman killed in Chongqing in November 2011, were closely connected.

Beijing (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - Patrick  Henri Devillers, a French architect with alleged links to Bo Xilai and his wife, will testify at the trial of the disgraced former Communist leader in Chongqing, Cambodia's Information minister said on Wednesday.

Patrick Henri Devillers, 52, was detained on 13 June in Cambodia, where he had been living for several years, at China's request.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said that Devillers voluntarily flew to China to testify in the trial against Bo Xilai and his wife Gu Kailai. Chinese authorities do not appear to have forced the decision.

Devillers appears to be involved in the death of British businessman Neil Heywood. Both had close links with Gu Kailai, a suspect in Heywood's death.

The Frenchman had been in Cambodia for at least five years. He entered Bo's inner circle whilst living in Dalian in the 1990s when Bo, who was mayor of the city at the time, helped him chase up an unpaid debt.

Chinese authorities have not publicly said whether Devillers himself is involved in the murder case or accused of any crime.

• china
• cambodia
• neil
• heywood
• bo
• xilai
• patrick
• devillers
• gu
• kailai