China sentences 3 more to death over July ethnic riots in far-western Xinjiang

China sentences 3 more to death over ethnic riots

BEIJING — China has sentenced three more people to death for murder and other crimes committed in riots in the western region of Xinjiang in July.

The ruling brings to 17 the number of death sentences handed down over China’s worst ethnic violence in decades.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the Urumqi Intermediate People’s Court also sentenced a fourth person to life in prison.

The sentences come a day after the court sentenced five other people to death for their roles in the unrest. Additionally, China announced last month that nine Uighurs had been executed for taking part in the ethnic rioting that left nearly 200 people dead in July.