China sentences 2 Uyghur ex-govt officials in Xinjiang to death on charges of 'separatism'

China has sentenced two Uyghur former government officials in Xinjiang to death on charges of 'separatism. One of them has been convicted of incorporating religious extremism content into textbooks.

Two Uyghur former government officials in China's Xinjiang have been handed death sentences for carrying out "separatist activities", a court said, as Beijing comes under increasing fire for its actions towards minority groups in the region. Shirzat Bawudun, a former head of the Xinjiang department of justice has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on the charge of "splitting the country", according to a statement released Tuesday on the Xinjiang government website. Bawudun had conspired with a terrorist organisation, taken bribes, and carried out separatist activities, Wang Langtao, vice president of the Xinjiang Higher People's Court, said at a press conference.