2 Muslims sentenced to death for terrorism in far west China

A Chinese court issued a death sentence for two men, stemming from a clash that left 21 people dead in a Chinese province with a Muslim Uighur minority. Kashgar's Intermediate People's Court found Musa Hesen and Rehman Hupur guilty of murder and terrorism charges related to an April 23 incident in Selibuya town in the far west province, Xinhua reported. Three other men received jail terms ranging from nine years in prison to life. They were accused of carrying out illegal activities and promoting religious extremism, a court statement said. Chinese reports said the trouble began when three officials were seized by residents who later captured several police officers and set a house on fire. Fifteen officials or security personnel were among the 21 dead. China called it a planned attack by a "violent terrorist group." Local residents said the incident was sparked by a long-standing dispute between a local family and officials who wanted the men to shave their beards and the women to stop wearing full veils.