Tibetans get death penalty for role in Lhasa riots

Two Tibetans received death sentences Wednesday for their role in last year’s Lhasa riots, the South China Morning Post reported. Losang Gyaltse was found guilty of torching two garment shops, killing a shop owner. Another Tibetan, Loyar, along with two others, is blamed for a fire in a motorcycle shop, which led to the death of the shop owner, his wife, son and two employees. These were two of three separate arson cases that went on trial at Lhasa Municipal People’s Court. Another two Tibetans were given death sentences, suspended for two years, and a fifth was jailed for life without chance of parole. Qiangba Puncong, chairman of the Tibetan Autonomous Region government, told Hong Kong media last month that 76 people had been sentenced for their roles in the violent aftermath of protests staged by Buddhist monks against Chinese rule. According to state media, another arson case is still being tried.