Over 280 riot suspects surrender to police

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-26-2008 09:00

In the Tibetan capital Lhasa, more than 280 people involved in the March 14th riots have surrendered to the police.

43-year-old Basang says there were shouts outside his home and he was forced into taking part in the riots.

43-year-old Basang says there were shouts outside his home  and he was forced into taking part in the riots.

Riot suspect Basang said, "If I didn't go, my house would have been set on fire."

Basang followed a gang of rioters attacked a shop and hit a policeman. After seeing the police's notice on television, he turned himself in.

Basang said, "I've realized my mistake. I will never do anything to harm social security again."

Benba Cering took part in an attack on a supermarket on March  14th. He is No.4 on the police wanted list. His family persuaded him to surrender.

Riot suspect Benba Cering said, "I'm very sorry. Sorry for what I did."

Following the unrest, Lhasa's authorities issued notices urging rioters to give themselves in promising "leniency" on them. In the meantime, local police began the hunt for those involved in the riots. According to police, investigations show that some of the rioters were forced into to participating in the unrest. And some were even paid by secessionists to take part.

Benba Cering took part in an attack on a supermarket on March  14th. He is No.4 on the police wanted list. His family persuaded  him to surrender.

Yexe Doje,director of Lhasa Police Bureau, said, "Some of the people who surrendered have given us names of other suspects. The clues they offered have helped us to make arrests. "

Among those who surrendered, some of them committed minor offences, some have cooperated well with the police, and some have been released. In addition, 29 rioters who seriously broke the law have been detained by the Lhasa police. They say that law will not pardon them.

Editor:Zhang Ning