[ETIC 17/2/98] According to Xinjiang Daily, on January 20 Ghulje Court sentenced many young Uyghurs in connection to the last year February 5-6
Ghulje event. These Uyghurs were convicted in causing social disturbance and jeopardizing state safety. 11 of them received death sentences. 3 received suspended death sentences because they were under age.27 were sentenced to life imprisonment.
On July 22 last year, Chinese authority ordered Ili Provice and Ghulje City People's Courts to stage 'open' trails at Ghulje stadium. 27 young Uyghurs received various sentences: 7 Uyghurs were sentenced to death and executed immediately. They were JAPPAR TALET, HESEN IMIN, ALIM YOLVAS, SIDIK ROZI, MEMETJAN NURMEMET, ABDULREHIM TUDAHUN and ABDULREHIM MEMET.
HALMEMET ISLAM and two others received suspended death sentences. 7 of them were sentenced to life imprisonment. Sixteen year old REHMETJAN received 18 years imprisonment. The rest 9 young Uyghurs received 15 years imprisonment each.
Chinese authority arbitrarily arresting Uyghurs in inland Chinese cities. In mid January this year they arrested 26 Uyghur intellectuals, university students and even businessmen as separatist suspect. At the same time, Chinese authority also arrested 20 Uyghur farmers from Eastern Turkistan Hutan county Taiwak village who were selling raisin in Chinese cities. Numerous innocent Uyghur businessmen were arrested in inland China. On January 30 this year, while Uyghurs celebrating Ramazan Festival, Chinese troops and armed police scattered in streets of Urumqi and other Eastern Tukistan cities to stop Uyghurs from going to Mosque.