China 'frees Tibetan protesters'

The official Xinhua news agency quoted a senior official saying those freed had been held for minor offences connected with the unrest in March.

Earlier the agency also said 12 people had been given unspecified punishments for their part in the demonstrations.

Buddhist monks led anti-Beijing rallies in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa in March which became widespread protests.

China says rioters killed at least 19 people in the ensuing unrest, but Tibetan exiles say security forces killed dozens of people.

The move to free the detainees comes a day after rights groups called for Beijing to account for those who were still in jail after the unrest.

Xinhua quoted Palma Trily, vice-governor of the Beijing-backed Tibetan government, as saying 1,157 had been freed.

He also said 12 people were sentenced for crimes related to the unrest, but did not specify the offences or the punishments.