(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-04-01 10:24

All the key suspects in the four major arson cases in Tibet, which killed 12 innocent people, are now detained.

Jiang Zaiping, deputy head of the Public Security Bureau in Lhasa said investigators have taken into custody suspects responsible for arson attacks on three shops in Lhasa on March 14, including a clothing outlet where five girls were burned to death, and one in nearby Dagze county on March 15.

Authorities have taken 414 suspects into custody in connection with the recent riots.

Another 289 people, including six who played a role in orchestrating the riots, have turned themselves in, Jiang said. Of them, 111 were released for minor offences.

The local law enforcement authorities have given light punishments to 45 who committed minor crimes, were forced or tricked into joining the riots.

The arson at the Yi Shion fashion store, where five women sales assistants in their 20s were burned to death, was committed by Qi'me Lhazom and two other suspects, police said.

The Tibet Daily reported Monday that a suspect named Loyar has confessed to his role in setting ablaze a motor garage in Dagze county by throwing two LPG cyclinders and causing a fire that claimed five lives. The victims are owner Liang Zhiwei, 33, from Henan Province, his wife Wu Hongxia, 31, their eight-month old son and two workers.

Meanwhile, during an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television, Premier Wen Jiabao again repeated that resumption of any dialogue with the Dalai Lama would be contingent on his giving up "independence" activities and agreeing that Tibet and Taiwan are integral territorial parts of China.