China targets needle attackers

CHINA has warned that anybody convicted of attacks with hypodermic needles containing harmful substances or contaminated by drug use will face harsh penalties.

The official Xinhua News Agency said yesterday penalties would range from three years in prison to the death sentence.

Beijing blames Muslim separatist groups among ethnic Uighurs for the syringe attacks in the western city of Urumqi, which was also hit by ethnic violence in July.