China cracks down on text messaging in Xinjiang

Authorities in China's troubled north-western region of Xinjiang have punished residents for spreading rumours and "splittist" content via text messages, within days of turning services back on, according to local media, reports The Guardian.

Officials cut off the internet and short message services across the region after inter-ethnic violence in the capital, Urumqi, left almost 200 dead and 1,700 injured last July. At least 26 people have since been sentenced to death over the riots.

A report from the Xinjiang website Tianshannet, carried on another Chinese website, said one man was in criminal detention after sending messages with "splittist" content.

Read full article. Image from MSNBC.

Previously: Text messaging services resume in Xinjiang six months after riot

emily | 9:32 AM | SMS and Politics |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2010/01/025387.htm

Tweet