The sentences of 11 criminals who were convicted for crimes of placing at risk national security and terrorism were reduced in February by a Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region judge. In spite of criticisms of the court’s decision, the president of the region’s High People’s Court said he would continue the policy which is in accordance with law.
Mutalif Wubili, the court president and a deputy of the National People’s Congress, said that the law allows detainees who have shown genuine repentance and a will to change are entitled to reduction of their sentences.
Following the court’s ruling, the sentences of seven of the 11 convicts were reduced to 19 ½ and 20 years from life terms, while the other four who had eight, 13 and 15 years of sentenced were reduced by six months, reported China Daily.
Mutalif explained, “Many people have wondered whether the 11 convicts just pretended to be changed people just to get a reduction in their sentences but the court found that they truly acknowledged their crimes and had shown good attitudes in wanting to mend their ways while in prison, so the court decided to reduce their sentences after careful evaluation.”
To help these prisoners change, respected religious leaders were invited to give talk about Islam to the prisoners who were convicted of crimes related to terrorism and those who were swayed by religious extremists. Mutalif said the strategy is very effective because the inmates realized what they believed in, which caused them to commit crimes, is not the real Islam.
The tapping of Islamic leaders to talk to prisoners is part of the region’s campaign in 2014 to promote correct Islamic religion culture by educating Islamic followers every Djumah Day. The aim of the campaign is for Muslims in Xinjiang “to form one head with one heart,” said Abudulrekep Tumniyaz, deputy director of the Xinjiang Islamic Association, reported Global Times.