Wednesday, 22 August, 2001, 15:12 GMT 16:12 UK China sentences officials over Muslim deaths ============================== http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1503000/1503977.s tm The Chinese authorities say six officials have been punished for their role in the deaths of six members of the Hui Muslim minority last December. The Muslims died in the eastern Shandong province when police opened fire during a demonstration by Hui activists in Yangxin County who said a pig's head had been hung outside their mosque. The Chinese media said those convicted included senior local Communist Party and police officials, but gave no details of the precise charges or sentences. A BBC correspondent in China says it was one of the worst clashes for years between the Han Chinese majority and a Muslim community. He says such an incident involving the Huis will cause the authorities particular concern, in view of the Muslim insurgency by Uighurs in northwest China. >From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
