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China jails 30 people over Tibet unrest: official media
Beijing (AFP) April 29, 2008 Chinese authorities on Tuesday jailed 30 people for between three years and life for their role in last month's Tibetan unrest, state press reported. The 30 were involved in violence on March 14 in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, CCTV news said, announcing the first verdicts for anyone connected with the unrest that has embarrassed and angered China ahead of the Olympics. Xinhua news agency earlier on Tuesday announced that 17 people had been jailed, but CCTV footage of the sentencing in a Lhasa court showed 30 people were given prison sentences. The accused, wearing orange jackets, were shown walking into the courtroom, each flanked by two guards. They were made to stand in front of the judge, although one of the accused sat on a chair. Peaceful protests that began on March 10 in Lhasa to mark the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against China's rule of Tibet escalated into widespread violence across the city on March 14. Chinese authorities said "rioters" killed 18 innocent civilians and one policeman in Lhasa on March 14, while another police officer was killed when protests spread to other parts of China with Tibetan populations. China has insisted it acted with restraint in quelling the unrest. Three of the accused were on Tuesday given a life sentence, while seven others were handed 15 years and more in prison, and 20 received between three and 14 years in jail, CCTV reported. They were jailed for crimes including arson, looting, attacking state organs, theft, and provoking fights, the television station said. When asked to comment on the verdicts earlier on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu directed questions to relevant authorities, but repeated government assertions that all cases were being processed in the correct manner. "While handling the March 14 incident, the Chinese government has all along proceeded according to law," Jiang said. "Those who break Chinese law should be punished by law. I believe that's universal practice. I believe competent authorities will deal with the lawbreakers based on the specifics, according to law and in a fair and just way." But exiled Tibetan leaders say more than 200 people have died in the Chinese crackdown on the demonstrations. It is unclear how many people are facing prosecution across China for their roles in the unrest. Exiled Tibetan groups said previously that over 2,000 people had been arrested in connection with the unrest. China had earlier announced the arrests of more than 400 people in Lhasa alone. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links China News from SinoDaily.com
Tibet govt-in-exile says 203 dead in Tibetan unrest
Dharamshala, India (AFP) April 29, 2008The number of people killed in a Chinese crackdown on protests and unrest in Tibet has risen by around 50 to 203, the Tibetan government-in-exile said Tuesday. |
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