Fourteen people went on trial Wednesday on charges of murder and other crimes of robbery, arson and vandalism relating to the deadly Xinjiang riot on July 5.

The trials at the Intermediate People's Court in Urumqi came two days after six men were sentenced by the court to death and one was jailed for life over their roles in the riot.

The 14 defendants on trial Wednesday were involved in three cases, according to documents released by the court.

Ahmatjan Moming and 10 others were charged with murder, robbery, arson and vandalism; Azizijan Yasin was accused of murder and robbery; Han Junbo and another person of murder.

Public prosecutors presented testimonies of witnesses, autopsy reports and other evidence at the court, and played video of the scenes of crimes.

The defendants and their lawyers outlined their cases against the charges.

More than 400 people, including legislators, political advisors, family members of the defendants and victims, and journalists, observed the court hearings.

The hearings were conducted in the Uygur language and Mandarin with simultaneous interpretations.

The local prosecution office said they would make further public prosecutions against other suspects in the riot.

The documents gave no other details on the defendants, the charges or the victims of the alleged crimes.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2009)