CHINA: TIBETAN GETS SUSPENDED DEATH SENTENCE FOR RIOTS

May 26, 2010: the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court in China sentenced Tibetan Sonam Tsering, 23, to a suspended death sentence, the India-based Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy said. Tsering, a native of Derge Palyul County in Kham province of Eastern Tibet, allegedly rioted and led others to riot in March 2008 by setting cars and shops on fire and overturning police vehicles. Following the protest, the Public Security Bureau announced cash prize for those who would tell the whereabouts of Sonam Tsering to the police. But Sonam evaded arrest by hiding around Lhasa with the help of some fellow Tibetans. He was eventually arrested in October 2009, the report said. Presently, his whereabouts, whether he is alive or dead remains unknown.The Center said Sonam Tsering is the seventh Tibetan so far to be sentenced to death for the riots, including two already executed. (Sources: Tibet.net, 20/11/2010; ANSA, 22/11/2010; Ap, 26/05/2010)