Two courts in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have sentenced 20 people for taking part in terrorist activities and plotting to divide the country.

Nineteen of the suspects were given prison sentences ranging from 5 years to life in prison after a trial in the Kashagar Prefecture Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday.

They were convicted of using cell phones and electronic storage mediums to organize, lead and take part in terrorist activities. They were also convicted of illegally crossing borders and affray, according to the court ruling.

Kerem Mohammad, the 20th suspect, was sentenced to 10 years in jail on the same day by the Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture Intermediate People's Court for inciting separatism.

He was charged with using online chat rooms to spread information related to separatism and terrorism.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2013)