A court in eastern China sentenced Bo Xilai -- the former rising star of the ruling Communist Party who fell from power amid a scandal involving murder, betrayal and financial skullduggery -- to life in prison Sunday. 

Bo received the life sentence for bribe-taking, as well as 15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power. 

The sentences, which came shortly after the guilty verdicts, surprised some analysts. 

"I'm actually a little bit surprised. I think it's a very strong verdict" compared to some previous cases, said Yuhua Wang, a political science professor at University of Pennsylvania. 

"He was a political star before falling from grace. He was ... the son of a revolutionary veteran. His father was Mao's colleague," he added. 

During the hearings of the politically sensitive trial that took place over several days last month, Bo, 64, denied the charges and strongly challenged the prosecution's case against him, according to accounts published by the Jinan Intermediate People's Court. 

The closely watched trial was considered to be much more transparent than most cases in China. But international and independent journalists weren't allowed inside the courtroom, and doubts were raised about the fullness of the court's version of events. 

'I can bear the suffering' 

Days before the court announced the date for delivering the verdict, Bo reiterated his innocence but said he anticipated a lengthy imprisonment in a letter written to his family. 

"I was dragged into this and really wronged, but the truth will come out one day," wrote Bo in a letter dated September 12, referring to the bribes allegedly taken by his wife and other scandals involving her and her friends.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Where are the article's events taking place?
2. What is the setting of Bo Xilai's trial?
3. 
Q2:
1. Where is the court?
2. What is the location of the court?
3. 
Q3:
1. Who was being sentenced in a Chinese court?
2. Who was facing charges in a court in China?
3. 
Q4:
1. What did Bo Xilai do?
2. What was Bo Xilai accused of?
3. 
Q5:
1. Was Bo Xilai accused of anything other than taking a bribe?
2. Were there charges against Bo Xilai beyond bribe taking?
3. 
Q6:
1. What did Bo Xilai do, besides take a bribe?
2. What was Bo Xilai accused of, in addition to accepting a bribe??
3. 
Q7:
1. Was Bo Xilai accused of anything other than taking a bribe and embezzlement?
2. Were there charges against Bo Xilai beyond bribe taking and embezzlement?
3. 
Q8:
1. What did Bo Xilai do, besides take a bribe and embezzlement?
2. What was Bo Xilai accused of, in addition to accepting a bribe and embezzling money?
3. 
Q9:
1. What is the name of a University of Pennsylvania professor?
2. Who gives classes at the University of Pennsylvania?
3. 
Q10:
1. How did Yuhua Wong know Bo Xilai?
2. What was the relationship between Yuhua Wong and Bo Xilai?
3. 
Q11:
1. 
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