Source: Tibet TV, Lhasa, in Standard Chinese 1200 gmt 27 May 96

Text of report by Chinese regional TV from Tibet

To deal a hard blow to various criminal elements, protect the people' s lives and property, and genuinely maintain social stability in Xigaze Prefecture, the Xigaze Prefectural Intermediate People's Court recently called a verdict announcement rally at the prefectural sports stadium to concentrate on sentencing 20 criminals involving 15 cases according to law. The rally's major targets were premeditated murder, robbery, and major theft cases. Crimes committed by those criminals were marked by extreme severity, cruelty and extremely adverse consequences. They seriously undermined social order and jeopardized social stability, thereby incurring the masses'great indignation and eliciting their strong call for harshly punishing the criminals according to law.

(names in bracket are 'translated' by WTN News)

At the rally, the Xigaze Prefectural Intermediate People's Court gave sentences of five or less years to Cering Lamu (Tsering Lhamo) [all names phonetic throughout], Awang Gesang (Ngawang Kesang), Tamujue (Dhamchoe), Puqung (Buchung), Ima Toinzhub (Pema Dhondup), six counter-revolutionaries [as heard] who called and incited for Tibetan independence; they were also stripped of their political rights.

According to criminal facts which were approved by the Regional Higher People's Court according to law, premeditated murderers Danzhen (Tenzin), Toinzhub (Dhondup), Wangqiu (Wnagchuk), Ima Jiafu (Pema Gyalpo(?)), Toindui (?), Luosang Toinzhub (Lobsang Dhondup) and thieves Peng Xiangdong and Bao Zita, were given death sentences and stripped of their political rights for life according to law. Thieves Li Jian and Gongdu Zhaxi (?? Tashi)and premeditated murderer Luo Bu were given two-year-suspended death sentences and stripped of their political rights for life according to law. Premeditated murderer Ima Zhaxi (Pema Tashi) and thief Puqong (Buchung) were given life sentences and stripped of their political rights for life according to law. Thief Cering Zhaxi (tsering Tashi) was given a 10-year term according to law.