A court in China’s restive Xinjiang region has sentenced 12 people to death for attacks that left nearly 100 people dead in July.<\/p>\n
13 October 2014 Last updated at 08:43 ET<\/p>\n
A court in China’s restive Xinjiang region has sentenced 12 people to death for attacks that left nearly 100 people dead in July.<\/p>\n
Dozens of civilians were killed along with more than 50 attackers when a knife-wielding gang attacked a police station and government offices.<\/p>\n
China has seen a number of attacks this year blamed on Uighur separatists.<\/p>\n
It has launched an “anti-terrorism” campaign, arresting scores and sentencing some to death.<\/p>\n
Government outlet Tianshan News said 12 people had been sentenced to death for their role in the attacks in Yarkant, also known as Shache, just over two months ago.<\/p>\n
Fifteen others were given suspended death sentences, nine were imprisoned for life and another 20 received jail sentences ranging between four and 20 years.<\/p>\n
The report said they were convicted of “organising, leading or participating in organised terror crimes, homicide, illegal construction of explosive devices, arson, kidnapping and harming public safety”.<\/p>\n
Tianshan News said that besides carrying out “terrorist attacks”, one of the attackers had run onto a road and “slashed at drivers”, killing three people. Others had “intercepted, smashed and burned” passing vehicles, and “set off a large explosion targeting police officers”.<\/p>\n
In all, the authorities said 96 people were killed in the violence – 37 civilians and 59 attackers who were shot dead by security forces.<\/p>\n
In the hours following the attack, authorities tightened security in the area, setting up checkpoints and police patrols, and cutting off internet and social media services.<\/p>\n
Activists have disputed the official version of events, saying the violence erupted as Uighurs protested against a crackdown.<\/p>\n
Beijing has blamed an increasing number of attacks against civilian targets on Uighur separatists, who it says are inspired by extreme religious ideology from abroad.<\/p>\n
Critics of China’s policies in Xinjiang point to economic inequality and cultural and religious repression as other possible reasons for the growing radicalism and resentment.<\/p>\n
China says it is pouring money into the Xinjiang region, but some Uighurs say their traditions and freedoms are being crushed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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