A Chinese court gave sentences ranging from three to 10 years to four locals in Garze, Sichuan Province for secessionist activities or spying for overseas organizations.

The sentences followed two separate trials.

Lubo and Jacmyang Goinqen, following directions from overseas sources, took pictures and made discs and provided them to overseas organizations via Lutog, the Intermediate Court of Garze was told.

"Some contents of the discs concern national security and interests," the court said in its verdict Tuesday.

The three, all residents of Litang County in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, were found guilty of spying and providing intelligence to overseas organizations.

Lubo and Jacmyang Goinqen were also charged with writing and posting secessionist flyers, which was deemed to have constituted the crime of instigating secession.

However, as Lubo and Jacmyang Goinqen both gave themselves up to the police and confessed their crimes while Lutog committed the crime as an accomplice, leniency was shown to the three in accordance with the law.

Lubo was sentenced 10 years in jail and deprived of political rights for another five years thereafter.

Jacmyang Goinqen was given nine years' imprisonment with four years' subsequent deprivation of political rights.

Lutog was given three years in prison with two years' deprivation of political rights.

The Intermediate Court of Garze on Tuesday also gave Rongji Azha eight years' imprisonment for inciting separatism.

Rongji Azha, 52, also a resident of Litang County in Garze, publicly instigated separatism and undermined national unity on Aug. 1 when an international derby was organized in Litang county, the verdict read.

Some local people, who "were not clear about the truth", besieged local government offices after being incited, which severely disrupted public order, said the verdict.

Rongji Azha will also be deprived of political rights for another four years after serving his jail term.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2007)