2 Tibetans stand trial over self-immolation

A Tibetan monk and a Tibetan herdsman stood trial on Saturday for inciting self-immolation in Barkam, the capital of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

Lorang Konchok, a 41-year-old monk in Kirti Gompa, a large monastery in Aba county in the prefecture, and his nephew Lorang Tsering, a 32-year-old illiterate herdsman also from the county, were accused of encouraging eight people to set themselves on fire, either alone or together. Three of them died.

The intermediate people's court of the prefecture heard nearly five hours of testimony, debate and statements from Lorang Konchok and Lorang Tsering. The final judgment will be announced at a later date, Judge Xiong Huanying, said.

Both accused men endorsed the accusation against them and admitted they had violated State laws in the court.

They appeared calm at the court hearing. Speaking through a Tibetan interpreter, they said they regretted their actions.