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Trials for 14 accused of Urumqi killings

By Cui Jia (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-15 07:07

URUMQI: Trials began here yesterday for another 14 people accused of intentional homicide and other charges relating to the July 5 riots that left 197 people dead and 1,700 injured.

The court is expected to reach verdicts today.

The trials at the Intermediate People's Court in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, began two days after six Uygurs were sentenced to death and one to life in jail for several brutal killings during the riots.

The 14 defendants who began their trials yesterday were allegedly involved in three cases. All of the accused are likely to get the death penalty if found guilty.

Full coverage:  Urumqi Riots Related readings:  6 rioters sentenced to death in Urumqi  Seven syringe attack groups arrested  3 sentenced over needle attacks in Urumqi  44 more Urumqi riot arrest warrants issued  108 stand accused in Urumqi riot

Among those on trial, Ahmatjan Moming and 10 others are charged with intentional homicide, robbery, arson and vandalism. The group allegedly beat two people to death on July 5 and stole from the bodies. They are also charged with torching a car dealership and destroying dozens of vehicles.

In another case, Azizijan Yasin is accused of kicking and stoning two people to death and of robbing passengers on a bus. He is charged with intentional homicide and robbery.

In a third case, Han Junbo and Liu Bo are charged with intentional homicide for allegedly killing one Uygur and injuring another Uygur two days after the July 5 riots.

The city's deputy chief procurator, Liu Bo, dispelled a rumor that the wife of one of the defendants was brutally killed in the riots.

"Han's wife and three children are safe and sound," procurator Liu said.

Soon after the July 5 riots some Urumqi residents took to the streets to express their anger, which created unrest that claimed several lives.

During yesterday's trials, public prosecutors presented the testimony of witnesses, autopsy reports and other evidence and played videos of the crimes.

The defendants and their lawyers also outlined their defenses against the charges.

More than 400 people, including legislators, journalists and family members of the defendants and victims watched proceedings.

The hearings were conducted in the Uygur language and Putonghua with simultaneous interpretations.

Local prosecutors said they will begin cases against other suspects in the riots, but didn't give any details.

Xinhua contributed to the story