BEIJING, Mar 18 (AP): China has arrested nearly 13,000 people it describes as terrorists and has broken up hundreds of "terrorist gangs" in Xinjiang since 2014, the government said in a report Monday issued to counter criticism of internment camps and other oppressive security in the traditionally Islamic region.
The lengthy report said the government's efforts have curbed religious extremism but gave little evidence of what crimes had occurred. The far northwestern region is closed to outsiders, but former residents and activists abroad say mere expressions of Muslim identity are punished.
Criticism has grown over China's internment of an estimated one million Uighurs (WEE-gurs) and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. China describes the camps as vocational training centers and says participation is voluntary.
13,000 Xinjiang 'terrorists' arrested since 2014: China
FE Team | Published: March 19, 2019 00:36:51
13,000 Xinjiang 'terrorists' arrested since 2014: China
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