Chinese court confirms life sentence for Uyghur scholar
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Chinese court confirms life sentence for Uyghur scholar, 21 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea8f812.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 21, 2014
A Chinese court has confirmed the life sentence of a scholar and advocate for the Uyghur minority.
Ilham Tohti's lawyer said on November 21 there is no more opportunity to appeal.
Liu Xiaoyuan said his client will be taken to jail "in a month's time at the latest."
Tohti, a 44-year-old former university professor from Beijing and critic of China's policies in the western Xinjiang region, was convicted of separatism and sentenced in September.
He had repeatedly criticized the government for not giving Xinjiang and its Uyghurs more autonomy.
He had pleaded not guilty at his trial in the regional capital, Urumqi.
His lawyer said the trial was politically motivated.
Uyghurs in Xinjiang, a Turkic Muslim people indigenous to the region, have long complained about treatment under Chinese rule.
Based on reporting by dpa and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
