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A state-run Chinese newspaper reported Monday that more than 200 people are expected to go on trial this week for their involvement in sectarian riots last month in the western region of Xinjiang.
The official China Daily said the trials will take place in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang and the site of China's worst ethnic violence in decades. Nearly 200 people were killed and about 1,700 injured.
The paper said the charges include vandalizing public property, organizing crowds to cause bodily harm, robbery, murder and arson, among other crimes.
Beijing blamed the violence on outside forces stirring up separatist sentiments among the mostly Muslim Uighur minority, but Uighurs blame the police for provoking the violence.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
