Suspects linked to Beijing terror attack stand trial in Xinjiang

The suspects linked to the terrorist attack in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square in October went on trial on Friday in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Security was high. Police and armed officers sealed off Urumqi Intermediate People's Court, and the street outside was closed to vehicles.

China Daily reporters were not allowed into the courtroom.

There was no word on when verdicts will be announced.

Xinjiang prosecutors said on May 30 that eight people had been arrested in connection with the suicide attack last fall that killed two people and injured 40.

The suspects will be tried on charges of organizing, leading and participating in crimes of a terrorist organization, as well as endangering public safety.

On Oct 28, 2013, Usmen Hasan drove a Jeep into a crowd of mostly tourists, on Jinshuiqiao at Tian'anmen Square.

Also in the car were his mother, Kuwanhan Reyim, and his wife, Gulkiz Gini.

The three died after allegedly setting gasoline containers inside the vehicle on fire.

Along with the gasoline, police recovered knives and steel rods as well as a flag with extremist religious content from the Jeep.

A group, calling itself the "Turkestan Islamic Party", released a video calling the Tian'anmen attack a "jihadi operation" by holy warriors.

The group is believed to be part of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

TIP also claimed responsible for a suitcase-bomb attack at a train station in Urumqi on April 30 that killed three and injured nearly 80.

Since Xinjiang launched an intensive campaign against terrorism on May 23, the public has provided the authorities with hundreds of tips regarding terrorist activities. More than 10 suspects have turned themselves in, Xinjiang Information Office said on Friday.

Based on such information, the police have busted nine terrorist groups and a related religious extremist group. Forty kilograms of explosives have been seized.

People from Pishan assisted police in locating three people who made explosives. Two locals were injured in the process.

On May 25, villagers in Bachu county in southern Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture found five people sleeping by a canal with sickles and reported them to the police. When the officers arrived, the five then attacked them and shouted jihadi slogans. Three of the attackers were shot.

Li Juan, vice-president of Xinjiang Police College, said the public has responded well to anti-terrorism campaigns by reporting suspicious people and vehicles, which allows police to act more quickly.

Contact the writers at gaobo@chinadaily.com.cn and cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn