Family circumstances argued against their having had such a plan, though, Hesen Eysa, security chief for Yasin’s Karasu village, told RFA’s Uyghur Service.

“All of them were over 40 years of age,” Eysa said. “They had a farm, and they were struggling to survive and provide for their children’s education."

“They showed no signs of opposing the government. At least I never saw any signs of this,” he said.

“As a security chief, I am having a hard time explaining these charges to the people in my village.”

“None of this makes any sense. It is very unjust,” he said.