China executes Islamic leader

BEIJING, JAN. 12. Chinese authorities have executed the leader of an Islamic separatist group accused of planning and committing ``terrorist'' attacks in the restive region of Xinjiang, a court official and state media said today.

The Intermediate People's Court of Bayingolin Mongol autonomous prefecture recently handed the sentence to Alerken Abula, leader of the 113-member East Turkestan Islamic Party of Allah, said a report in the People's Court Daily.

He has been executed and more than 10 members of his group have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two years to life, the court official told Reuters.

The members were convicted for ``conducting terrorist activities in various cities and areas with the aim of establishing an Islamic regime on native soil,'' the newspaper said.

The party had targeted 32 Chinese Government officials, Communist Party members and ``patriotic'' religious figures for attack, it said.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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