Briefs, December 6, 2012

Anyone caught aiding or inciting Tibetan self-immolations will be charged with murder, the state press said. A joint legal opinion issued by the supreme court, the top prosecution body and the police said the charge of "intentional murder" should apply to anyone urging Tibetans to set themselves alight, the state-run Gannan Daily reported. It is the local government-run paper in a prefecture in Gansu where many immolations took place last month. AFP

The mayor of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu, became subject to a graft probe yesterday after an internet user claimed he had worn at least five luxury watches at public events, the Oriental Morning Post reports. The mayor allegedly wore a diamond-studded Omega watch, a Vacheron Constantin, a gold Rolex and two other pricey watches. At least two other top cadres in Shaanxi and Fujian were sacked and investigated recently over wearing luxury watches. Fiona Tam