Chinese Arrest 82 In Alleged Olympic Terror Plots
11/07/2008 03:53
BEIJING - China has detained 82 suspected terrorists in the first half of the year on allegations that they were plotting attacks against next month's Olympics, according to state media reports Thursday.
The reports appeared to bolster human rights groups' claims that authorities were ratcheting up security and repression to shield the games from disruptions that could tarnish China's carefully crafted image of order and control.
Police nabbed the suspects in raids on five separate terrorist rings in the traditionally Muslim Xinjiang region of China's far west, regional police chief Chen Zhuangwei was quoted as saying by newspapers and the official Xinhua News Agency.
Separatists among Xinjiang's indigenous Turkic Uighur people have been fighting Chinese rule for decades. Critics say communist authorities fuel resentment with harsh repression and strict limits on cultural and religious expression.
"All officers recommit themselves to stepping up the fight against terrorism" and other threats, Chen was quoted by local newspaper Xinjiang Metropolitan as telling a news conference in the regional capital, Urumqi, on Wednesday.
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SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I certainly hope I am wrong, but SWIVEL HIPS has said for some time now that the IOC will probably regret ever awarding this year’s summer Olympic games to Beijing, China.