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Death penalty in Xinjiang for China Tiananmen crash Death penalty in Xinjiang for China Tiananmen crash
(about 1 hour later)
Three people have been given death sentences over a fatal car crash in Tiananmen Square last October. Three men have been sentenced to death in China over a car crash in Beijing's Tiananmen Square last October that left five people dead.
The men were convicted in Xinjiang province for a "violent terror attack", state media said. The car hit tourists before catching fire, killing five. The men were convicted of carrying out a "violent terror attack" by a court in Xinjiang province, state media said.
Reports said at least two of the men appeared to be from the Muslim Uighur population, which Beijing accuses of waging a violent separatist campaign. Reports said at least two appeared to be from Xinjiang's Uighur ethnic minority, which Beijing accuses of waging a violent separatist campaign.
China also executed 13 people on Monday for "terrorist attacks", reports said. Another 13 people were executed on Monday over separate attacks.
State-run news agency Xinhua reported that the three men sentenced on the Tiananmen crash - Husanjan Wuxur, Yusup Umarniyaz and Yusup Ahmat - were guilty of "organising and leading a terrorist group and endangering public security". Verifying reports from Xinjiang is difficult because the flow of information is tightly controlled.
State-run news agency Xinhua reported that the three men sentenced in connection with the Tiananmen car crash - Husanjan Wuxur, Yusup Umarniyaz and Yusup Ahmat - were guilty of "organising and leading a terrorist group and endangering public security".
Five others were given jail sentences for "participating in a terrorist group" and endangering security.Five others were given jail sentences for "participating in a terrorist group" and endangering security.
In October, a car crashed into a crowd in Tiananmen Square and burst into flames, killing two tourists - one Chinese and one from the Philippines - and injuring 38 other people.In October, a car crashed into a crowd in Tiananmen Square and burst into flames, killing two tourists - one Chinese and one from the Philippines - and injuring 38 other people.
Three people who were in the car also died.Three people who were in the car also died.
Some reports at the time quoted officials as saying it was a suicide attack. But other police officials said the authorities had been chasing the car.Some reports at the time quoted officials as saying it was a suicide attack. But other police officials said the authorities had been chasing the car.
'String of attacks''String of attacks'
Separately, 13 people were executed over "terrorist attacks and violent crimes" in Xinjiang, Xinhua reported. Separately, Xinhua reported that 13 people had been executed over "terrorist attacks and violent crimes" in Xinjiang.
Those executed were involved in seven cases, Xinhua said, without providing further details. Those executed were involved in seven cases, Xinhua reported, with charges including "taking part in a terrorist organisation, intentional homicide, arson, and creating and storing explosives".
Uighurs have been blamed this year for a string of attacks around China. The report named three defendants who were convicted of attacking a police station, hotel, government building and other venues in Lukqun, Xinjiang province, on 26 June, Xinhua said. The attack killed 24 police officers and civilians and injured 23 others, it added.
Uighurs and Xinjiang
Who are the Uighurs?
Uighurs are an indigenous ethnic minority in the western autonomous region.
Beijing has blamed Uighur separatists for a string of attacks around China, including an attack at a market in Urumqi, Xinjiang, in May that left at least 31 people dead, and a mass knife attack in Kunming, in Yunnan province, in March, in which 29 were killed and more than 130 injured.
Uighur leaders accuse the authorities in Beijing of repression, but deny that they are co-ordinating a terrorist campaign.Uighur leaders accuse the authorities in Beijing of repression, but deny that they are co-ordinating a terrorist campaign.
Chinese media also reported that three men wielding knives burst into a gaming hall in Hotan, Xinjiang, and attacked a group of people playing chess on Sunday afternoon. Four people were hurt. Chinese media also reported that three men wielding knives had burst into a gaming hall in Hotan, Xinjiang, and attacked a group of people playing chess on Sunday afternoon. Four people were hurt, they said.
Two of the attackers died when confronted by armed patrolmen while the third was captured. Two of the attackers reportedly died when confronted by armed patrolmen while the third was captured.
Beijing has also blamed attacks in Kunming and Xinjiang's Urumqi on Uighur separatists. The authorities have tightened security in Xinjiang in recent months and launched what they call an "anti-terrorism campaign".
At least 31 people were killed and more than 90 suffered injuries in May when two cars crashed through an Urumqi market and explosives were tossed into the crowd.
It followed a bomb and knife attack at Urumqi's south railway station in April, which killed three and injured 79 others, and a mass knife attack in Kunming, south-west China, which killed 29 and left more than 130 injured.
The authorities have since tightened security in Xinjiang and launched what they call an "anti-terrorism campaign".