Nine jailed for terror crimes as Xinjiang holds latest public sentencing

Nine more people in Xinjiang were jailed for up to 14 years on terror-related offences during a public sentencing in front of more than 3,000 people, state media said today.

The government of Qapqal, close to the border with Kazakhstan, also announced arrest warrants for a further 25 people and the detention of 14 others, the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily said on its website.

The crimes they have been found guilty of or are suspected of include calling for holy war, attending overseas terror training camps, separatism and fanning ethnic hatred, the newspaper said, citing the Qapqal government.

It did not identify their ethnicities. Xinjiang is the traditional home of mainly Muslim Uygurs, and is also home to a sizeable Kazakh minority.

The announcement appeared to take place on a sports field, judging by a picture posted by the newspaper. The attendees included relatives and neighbours of those sentenced and religious figures, it added.

“Clearly recognise who is our enemy and who are brothers and sisters,” Li Wei, the Communist Party deputy chief of Qapqal county, was quoted as saying. “Resolutely smash the evil plots of the enemy.”