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Four on trial in China for Kunming station attack Four on trial in China for Kunming station attack
(about 1 hour later)
Four people accused of participating in a deadly mass knife attack in China have gone on trial in Kunming. Four people accused of roles in a deadly mass knife attack in China have gone on trial in Kunming.
The group are alleged to have led the March attack at a Kunming station that killed 31 people and injured 141. The group are alleged to have organised the 1 March attack at a Kunming station that killed 31 people and injured 141.
The trial opened as Beijing vowed to fast-track prosecution of terror suspects and extremists, especially in the far-western Xinjiang region. The Chinese government blamed Islamic extremists from the western region of Xinjiang for the assault.
In recent months China has stepped up security after attacks attributed to Muslim Uighurs from Xinjiang. The trial opened as Beijing vowed to fast-track prosecution of terror suspects and extremists, especially in Xinjiang.
In recent months China has stepped up security after a series of attacks attributed to Muslim Uighurs from the region, which borders Central Asia.
'Intentional murder''Intentional murder'
In a statement, the Kunming court said three of the suspects, Iskandar Ehet, Turgun Tohtunyaz, and Hasayn Muhammad, were accused of "leading and organising a terror group, and intentional murder". In a statement, the Kunming court said eight people organised the attack, of whom four were shot dead at the scene.
They did not take part in the actual attack on 1 March as they were caught two days before trying to leave the country, it said. Three of the suspects on trial, Iskandar Ehet, Turgun Tohtunyaz, and Hasayn Muhammad, were accused of "leading and organising a terror group, and intentional murder".
They did not take part in the attack as they were arrested two days before it trying to leave the country, it said.
The fourth person, a woman called Patigul Tohti, was accused of "taking part in a terror group and intentional murder".The fourth person, a woman called Patigul Tohti, was accused of "taking part in a terror group and intentional murder".
All four were said to have organised the attack, together with four others who were shot dead at the scene in Kunming. After the three men were arrested, she and the four dead suspects carried out the attack on the evening of 1 March, stabbing commuters and passers-by, the court said.
After the three men were arrested, the remaining five brought weapons from Shadian town to the Kunming station using a rental car.
It was there on the evening of 1 March that attackers slashed and stabbed commuters and passers-by.
No timescale was given for the trial, but in China they are usually very brief.No timescale was given for the trial, but in China they are usually very brief.
Uighurs and Xinjiang
Who are the Uighurs?
China has seen a series of deadly attacks in Xinjiang and elsewhere which it blames on Uighur separatists.China has seen a series of deadly attacks in Xinjiang and elsewhere which it blames on Uighur separatists.
Two have taken place in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, at a market and railway station, while another took place in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.Two have taken place in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, at a market and railway station, while another took place in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
Most recently, violence left 96 people dead in Xinjiang's Yarkant. State media say it was a "terror attack" but activists say police opened fire on people protesting against a Ramadan crackdown on Muslims.Most recently, violence left 96 people dead in Xinjiang's Yarkant. State media say it was a "terror attack" but activists say police opened fire on people protesting against a Ramadan crackdown on Muslims.
In response to these incidents Chinese authorities have launched a year-long security campaign, with scores of people arrested and jailed.In response to these incidents Chinese authorities have launched a year-long security campaign, with scores of people arrested and jailed.
On Thursday state news agency Xinhua reported prosecutors were seeking to fast-track cases involving terror suspects, religious extremists, and manufacturers of firearms and explosives.On Thursday state news agency Xinhua reported prosecutors were seeking to fast-track cases involving terror suspects, religious extremists, and manufacturers of firearms and explosives.
Courts in Xinjiang were also being instructed to speed up trials of terror cases and "deliver exemplary penalties".Courts in Xinjiang were also being instructed to speed up trials of terror cases and "deliver exemplary penalties".
Rights activists have protested against the move, saying it would open the door to more abuses. But a rights group criticised the move. "There is so little information coming out of Xinjiang on how suspects are treated. The potential for abuse is great," said Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch.
"There is so little information coming out of Xinjiang on how suspects are treated. The potential for abuse is great," said Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch. Confirming reports out of Xinjiang is difficult because both access and the flow of information are tightly controlled.
Confirming reports out of Xinjiang is difficult because the flow of information is tightly controlled.
Uighur activists say the suppression of Uighurs' cultural and religious freedoms is fuelling unrest in the region and attacks elsewhere in China.Uighur activists say the suppression of Uighurs' cultural and religious freedoms is fuelling unrest in the region and attacks elsewhere in China.
Chinese authorities argue that they are pumping investment into Xinjiang to improve people's lives, and said that "terrorists" in the area have been inspired by overseas Islamist groups.Chinese authorities argue that they are pumping investment into Xinjiang to improve people's lives, and said that "terrorists" in the area have been inspired by overseas Islamist groups.