(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-30 07:27

An open court session in connection with the Lhasa violence on March 14 is held yesterday at the Intermediate People's Court of Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous region. China News Service

LHASA: Thirty people who were involved in the March 14 riots were sentenced here yesterday to jail terms ranging from three years to life.

The Intermediate People's Court of Lhasa passed the sentences at an open hearing.

Soi'nam Norbu, a driver with a Lhasa real estate company, Basang, a monk, and Cering, a businessman, were sentenced to life.

The court said Soi'nam Norbu, 20, was a member of a mob that set vehicles on fire in a square near the Johkang Monastery, threw stones at police stations and fire engines, and assaulted firemen during the riots that broke out in the city's downtown area.

Basang, from Doilungdeqen county, led 10 people - including five monks - in destroying a government office, setting fire to 11 shops, stealing valuables, and attacking policemen.

Of the five monks, two were sentenced to 20 years and the other three to 15 years.

And Cering was convicted of inciting others to commit arson and looting of shops and vehicles during riots in the Lingzhou county on March 15 and 16.

Seven schools, five hospitals and 120 homes were set on fire and 908 shops were looted in the Lhasa riots. Eighteen people and a police officer died, while 382 others, including 241 policemen, were injured.

Xinhua

(China Daily 04/30/2008 page5)