China raises Tibet riot death toll to 13

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Tibet's governor said Monday that 13 people were killed and dozens wounded in violence that broke out in the regional capital Lhasa last week, as Chinese troops fanned out to deal with protests that have spread to three neighboring provinces. Champa Phuntsok gave the figures at a news conference called to explain the response to the largest anti-government protests in almost two decades, which have thrown an international spotlight on China's human rights record as it prepares for the Beijing Olympics. A week of protests against Chinese rule in Lhasa culminated in violence Friday when Tibetans attacked ethnic Chinese and torched their shops. Unconfirmed reports from Tibetan exile groups say the violence Friday and ensuing government crackdown may have left as many as 80 people dead.