5 jailed, sentenced to death for Xinjiang terrorist attack

A court in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Monday sentenced two men to death and another three to prison for taking part in a violent attack that happened on April 23.

Musa Hesen was sentenced to death for murder, organizing and leading a terrorist group and illegally manufacturing explosives, according to a verdict handed down by the Intermediate People's Court in Kashgar Prefecture.

Rehman Hupur was also sentenced to death for murder and participating in the terrorist group, according to the verdict.

Another three people who participated in the terrorist group were given prison sentences ranging from nine years to life, according to the verdict.

All of the defendants confessed to their crimes in court.

An April 23 confrontation between terrorists and authorities in Kashgar's Bachu County left 21 people dead, including 15 community workers and police officers, as well as six suspects, according to local authorities.