2 sentenced to death for violent attacks in China's Xinjiang

A Chinese court today sentenced two Islamic militants to death and another three to varied prison terms for taking part in a violent attack in restive northwest region in April that left 21 persons dead and 15 injured.
Musa Hesen was sentenced to death for murder, organising and leading a terrorist group and illegally manufacturing explosives, state-run Xinhua news agency reported quoting a judgement by the Intermediate People's Court at Kashgar Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Rehman Hupur was also sentenced to death for murder and participating in the terrorist group, according to the verdict.
Previous reports blamed the attack on the separatist East Tukistan Islamic Movement active in Muslim Uygur majority Xinjiang, which is experiencing periodic riots.

Uygurs have been protesting against the settlements of Han Chinese and the province has witnessed riots since 2009.
Another three people who participated in the terrorist group were given prison sentences ranging from nine years to life by the court.
All of the defendants confessed to their crimes in court, the Xinhua report said.
On April 23, confrontation between terrorists and authorities in Kashgar's Bachu County left 21 people dead, including 15 community workers and police officers, as well as six suspects.