China jails 17 over Tibet rule protests in Lhasa

Those convicted will serve terms that range from three years to life in prison, state media reported. More than 200 people attended the "open trial," according to the state media, although it was unclear if any of the accused had legal representation. Foreign journalists are barred from reporting in Tibet.

China's handling of Tibetan unrest has drawn protests around the world, most visibly along the route of the Olympic torch. Its "journey of harmony" became a path of international confrontation as the torch traveled this month through 19 cities on its way to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Games.

China handed down its first sentences today on Tibetans alleged to have taken part in riots and protests against its rule in Tibet last month.

Officials said 17 people were jailed this morning in Lhasa for their role in the violence that rocked the city, Tibet's capital, on March 14.

On that morning, action by police to prevent a march by monks from the Ramoche monastery spilled over into street attacks by Tibetan youths on ethnic Han Chinese and Chinese-run shops.

The march followed a series of protests by monks from monasteries around the city which began on March 10, the anniversary of an uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, and were put down by riot police using tear gas.

The violence was accompanied by uncorroborated reports of police repressing demonstrators elsewhere in the city.