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China trial for Uighur academic Ilham Tohti China trial for Uighur academic Ilham Tohti
(about 1 hour later)
Prominent Uighur academic Ilham Tohti has gone on trial for separatism in China's far western region of Xinjiang.Prominent Uighur academic Ilham Tohti has gone on trial for separatism in China's far western region of Xinjiang.
Mr Tohti is an economics scholar who has criticised Beijing's policies towards the Uighur minority.Mr Tohti is an economics scholar who has criticised Beijing's policies towards the Uighur minority.
He has been detained since January, after he condemned the government's response to a suicide car attack in Tiananmen Square.He has been detained since January, after he condemned the government's response to a suicide car attack in Tiananmen Square.
The United Nations, the EU and US have all called for Mr Tohti's release. He denies the charges against him.The United Nations, the EU and US have all called for Mr Tohti's release. He denies the charges against him.
Mr Tohti is being tried at the Intermediate People's Court in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.Mr Tohti is being tried at the Intermediate People's Court in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.
Tight security
His lawyer says prosecutors will allege his comments online and at his lectures in Beijing show he advocated separatism.His lawyer says prosecutors will allege his comments online and at his lectures in Beijing show he advocated separatism.
But Human Rights Watch, in a statement, said he had "consistently, courageously and unambiguously advocated peacefully for greater understanding and dialogue between various communities, and with the state".But Human Rights Watch, in a statement, said he had "consistently, courageously and unambiguously advocated peacefully for greater understanding and dialogue between various communities, and with the state".
"If this is Beijing's definition of 'separatist' activities, it's hard to see tensions in Xinjiang and between the communities decreasing," said its China director, Sophie Richardson."If this is Beijing's definition of 'separatist' activities, it's hard to see tensions in Xinjiang and between the communities decreasing," said its China director, Sophie Richardson.
Reports said the court building and surrounding streets were sealed off, with dozens of police officers standing guard, some in riot gear.Reports said the court building and surrounding streets were sealed off, with dozens of police officers standing guard, some in riot gear.
Foreign journalists were not allowed inside and - while some courts release details of proceedings via official microblog accounts - the court has stayed silent.Foreign journalists were not allowed inside and - while some courts release details of proceedings via official microblog accounts - the court has stayed silent.
The Associated Press reported that several Western diplomats were prevented from entering and witnessing the trial. Police blocked views of the court building with tall panels promoting an upcoming trade event in Xinjiang.The Associated Press reported that several Western diplomats were prevented from entering and witnessing the trial. Police blocked views of the court building with tall panels promoting an upcoming trade event in Xinjiang.
'Silencing moderates''Silencing moderates'
Xinjiang, which borders Central Asia, is home to the Muslim Uighur minority group.Xinjiang, which borders Central Asia, is home to the Muslim Uighur minority group.
In recent years the region has seen rising tensions between Uighurs and Han Chinese migrants. Violence has increased in recent months, with deadly attacks on civilians in Urumqi and the southern city of Kunming.In recent years the region has seen rising tensions between Uighurs and Han Chinese migrants. Violence has increased in recent months, with deadly attacks on civilians in Urumqi and the southern city of Kunming.
Last year, three Uighurs drove a car into pedestrians in Tiananmen Square, killing two people and themselves.Last year, three Uighurs drove a car into pedestrians in Tiananmen Square, killing two people and themselves.
China blames these attacks on Uighur separatists inspired by overseas terror groups. But Uighur activists say increasingly repressive Chinese rule is stoking tensions and fuelling violence.China blames these attacks on Uighur separatists inspired by overseas terror groups. But Uighur activists say increasingly repressive Chinese rule is stoking tensions and fuelling violence.
The most recent violence took place in July in Yarkant, killing 96 people.The most recent violence took place in July in Yarkant, killing 96 people.
State media say police shot 59 attackers after an armed group stormed government offices, killing 37 civilians. Activists say police opened fire on people protesting against a Ramadan crackdown on Muslims.State media say police shot 59 attackers after an armed group stormed government offices, killing 37 civilians. Activists say police opened fire on people protesting against a Ramadan crackdown on Muslims.
Critics say that the prosecution of Mr Tohti risks silencing moderate voices and will make the situation in Xinjiang worse rather than better, reports the BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing.Critics say that the prosecution of Mr Tohti risks silencing moderate voices and will make the situation in Xinjiang worse rather than better, reports the BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing.