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China 'frees Tibetan protesters' China 'frees Tibetan protesters'
(20 minutes later)
China has released more than 1,000 people involved in unrest in Tibet earlier this year, Chinese media say.China has released more than 1,000 people involved in unrest in Tibet earlier this year, Chinese media say.
The official Xinhua news agency quoted a senior official saying those freed had been held for minor offences connected with the unrest in March.The official Xinhua news agency quoted a senior official saying those freed had been held for minor offences connected with the unrest in March.
Earlier the agency also said 12 people had been given unspecified punishments for their part in the demonstrations. The announcement came one day before the Olympic torch relay reaches the Tibetan capital, Lhasa.
Buddhist monks led anti-Beijing rallies in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa in March which became widespread protests. In March, Buddhist monks led anti-Beijing rallies in Lhasa which grew into widespread unrest among Tibetans.
China says rioters killed at least 19 people in the ensuing unrest, but Tibetan exiles say security forces killed dozens of people. China says rioters killed at least 19 people in the unrest, but Tibetan exiles say security forces killed dozens of people.
The move to free the detainees comes a day after rights groups called for Beijing to account for those who were still in jail after the unrest. The announcement on the detainees came a day after rights group Amnesty International called for Beijing to account for those who were still in jail after the unrest.
Xinhua quoted Palma Trily, vice-governor of the Beijing-backed Tibetan government, as saying 1,157 had been freed.Xinhua quoted Palma Trily, vice-governor of the Beijing-backed Tibetan government, as saying 1,157 had been freed.
He also said 12 people were sentenced for crimes related to the unrest, but did not specify the offences or the punishments. It was not clear whether the figure referred to the total number of detainees freed since March, or a newly-released group of prisoners.
He also said 12 people had been sentenced for crimes related to the unrest, but did not specify the offences or the punishments.
The Xinhua report said a total of 42 people had now been punished over the March protests.The Xinhua report said a total of 42 people had now been punished over the March protests.
The Olympic torch passes through Lhasa on Saturday on the latest leg of its tour around China. Unrest in Tibetan communities began in Lhasa on 10 March before snowballing into the most widespread protests in 20 years.
After several days of unrest and rioting, Chinese security forces wrested back control of the area.
But pro-Tibetan protesters threw China's global Olympic torch relay into disarray as it passed through several cities, including London, Paris and San Francisco.
The Olympic torch reaches Lhasa on Saturday on the latest leg of its tour around China.
Chinese security forces have been patrolling in the main square of Lhasa in the run-up to the torch's arrival.