Tibetans executed in Lhasa for protest fires

Two people have been put to death for their roles in protests in Tibet last year, the first known executions for the violence.

Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, who goes by one name, were sentenced to death in April on charges relating to "starting fatal fires", according to the International Campaign for Tibet. China has confirmed the executions. The group said the Tibetans were executed in Lhasa but did not say when.

Other Tibetan rights groups have said the executions were carried out last Tuesday. Tibetans attacked Chinese migrants and shops in Lhasa in anti-government riots in March 2008 and torched parts of the commercial district. Chinese officials say 22 people died, but Tibetans say many times that number were killed.