Tibetans protest against death sentence awarded to two persons in Lhasa

Dharamsala, Apr 10 (ANI): The Tibetan government-in-exile came out strongly against award of death sentence to two Tibetans for their role in riots in Tibet's capital of Lhasa last year.

"The Kashag of Central Tibetan Administration is deeply concerned that two Tibetans have been sentenced to death. Two other have been given suspended life sentence with two years reprieve. The Kashag concern on this kind of arbitrary sentence meted out to Tibetans is exasperated by the fact that there is no due process of law. The courts in the people's republic of China are political instruments of the authorities," Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of Tibetan government-in-exile said.

A Tibetan human rights activist termed the death sentence as an example of China trying to flex its muscle.

"They have made the announcement just after the conclusion of G-20 summit in London. I think they are making this kind of announcement with two primary things in mind. First is that they have developed a new kind of confidence that the world community, international community cannot challenge them. They know they have become indispensable in this falling global economic recession time. They know they have their free hand and they can do whatever they want," said Tenzin Norgey, coordinator of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

China's official news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that the Two Tibetan accused were found guilty of "starting fatal fires" during the riot, citing a court spokesman. Two others got suspended death sentences and another life imprisonment.

Protests by Buddhist monks against Chinese rule on March 14 last year led to the deaths of 19 people and sparked waves of protests in Tibetan areas.

Tibetan exiles say more than 200 people died in the crackdown. (ANI)