Voice of America News

CHINA: Tibetans Sentenced to Death in Connection with China Bombings

A Chinese court has sentenced two Tibetans to death after convicting them of setting off a series of bomb blasts in southwest China, near Tibet. Chinese officials say one of the men had his sentence suspended for two years. Observers say such suspended death sentences are usually commuted to life in prison.

 Officials say the 2 men, who were only identified by Chinese, rather than Tibetan names were found guilty of 2 bombings last year that killed one person and injured another in China's Sichuan province. They were also convicted of setting off a blast in April that injured three people in the provincial capital, Chengdu.

 The 2 were also accused of distributing pro-independence leaflets. China has ruled Tibet for more than 50 years. Tibet and nearby areas have been hit by sporadic bombings by pro-independence forces protesting Chinese rule.