China Sentences U.S.-Based Dissident to Life in Prison on Terrorism Charges

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBA9Z9ATEE.html

BEIJING (AP) - A U.S.-based Chinese dissident has been sentenced to life in prison on terrorism and kidnapping charges by a court in central China, the government said.

Peng Ming, who lives in San Francisco, was convicted Thursday of setting up a terrorist training base in Myanmar and directing others to murder and kidnap people, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Peng was arrested in Myanmar in May 2004 on charges of possessing fake Chinese money and turned over to China. Peng's supporters in the United States say he went to Myanmar to set up a haven for fleeing Chinese dissidents.

The Washington-based group Worldrights has accused China and Myanmar of colluding to snare Peng. It has called for his release and return to the United States, where his family lives.