China sentences 10 for detaining petitioners
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Buy SPH photosBEIJING (AP) - Chinese state media say a Beijing court has sentenced 10 people to prison for illegally detaining petitioners.
It's an apparent blow for attempts by local governments to cover up abuses.
The 10 had detained petitioners from central Henan province who traveled to the capital hoping to bring their complaints to the central government.
Such petitioners are frequently intercepted by local government agents and detained illegally in shabby hostels known as "black jails."
