Beijing executes Tiananmen Square attackers on terrorism charges 

China has executed eight people convicted on terrorism charges in the restive western region of Xinjiang, including three men authorities say were behind a deadly attack in the heart of Beijing in which an SUV plowed through a crowd, state media reported.
Last year’s attack, in which the driver died alongside his mother and wife as passengers as well as three bystanders, was a sign that the violence the government blames on ethnic Uighur separatists was spilling out of the far western region — home to the Muslim, Turkic minority.
The others who were put to death were convicted of attacking police stations, bomb making, terrorism, murder and arson, the government-run Tianshan Net news portal reported Saturday evening.
The report did not say when the executions took place.
Beijing has blamed the deadly unrest on terrorism with overseas ties, but human rights groups say the Uighurs are suffering from repressive policies and practices.
All eight people executed had Uighur-sounding names.
Huseyin Guxur, Yusup Wherniyas and Yusup Ehmet “had been sentenced to death and deprived of political rights for life by court for organizing and leading terrorist organization and jeopardizing public security with dangerous means”, the Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday. “They masterminded the terrorist attack” at Tiananmen Square, Xinhua added.
Rozi Eziz, also sentenced to death by the court, was convicted of gun seizing and intentional killing of police officers, while Abdusalam Elim, who was also given the death penalty, had organized and led a terrorist organization as well as conducted in illegal manufacturing, transportation and storage of explosives.
The court also found that Memet Tohtiyusup had watched audio-visual materials on religious extremism, violence and terror, and Abdumomin Imin had organized terrorist training and became a ringleader. Both were also sentenced to death.
China has promised to strike hard against attacks in Xinjiang after scores of people were killed earlier this year. Authorities have vowed swift actions and severe punishments, but Uighur rights groups have said the harsh measures would only further alienate the minority people and cause more resentment. AP/Xinhua