Nine people have been executed for participating in violent ethnic riots in China’s mainly Muslim north west that left nearly 200 people dead.

The nine are the first people to be put to death for their part in the July 5 riots, when members of the Uighur minority rampaged through the streets of the city of Urumqi, in Xinjiang province, hacking, stabbing and burning majority Han Chinese. Two days later, mobs of Han Chinese took to the streets in revenge.

The verdicts against the nine were reviewed by the Supreme People’s Court as is required by law, and the sentences have been carried out. State media gave no details as to when the nine were executed or how they were put to death. It is likely that the sentences would have been carried out by lethal injection rather than by firing squad.

Of those sentenced to death, eight were Uighurs and one Han Chinese. All were convicted of murder and arson.

Among those sentenced is Abdullah Mettohti, who joined a gang attacking a grocery store selling grain and oil to residents of a district with a mixed population of Uighurs and Han. The Han Chinese owner, his mother, wife, 14-year-old son and 27-year-old nephew were trapped inside as the attackers rushed in.

Witnesses told The Times that they watched from an apartment building across the street as members of the family tried to run to safety in the street only to be dragged back and killed.

The teenager took refuge in the family chicken coop but was found and beheaded. The attackers then set fire to the store.

Officials say that 197 people died and 1,700 were injured during the violence in Urumqi, which was sparked by Uighur resentment of Beijing rule and an influx of Han Chinese to the region.

Another 20 people were indicted today, on charges related to the deaths of 18 people and other crimes committed during the riots. All but two of the prisoners listed have Uighur sounding names, with the others appearing to be Han.

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