The Higher People's Court of Xinjiang upheld on Friday sentences for 21 people who, in six first-instance trials, were convicted of murder and other crimes in the deadly July 5 riot in Urumqi, including death penalty to nine convicts.

The death sentences will take effect after review and approval by the Supreme People's Court, the regional higher people's court said.

The higher people's court rejected appeals of Gheni Yusup, Ahmatjan Moming, Han Junbo and 12 others who were convicted of murder and other crimes.

All the three second-instance trials involving death penalties were heard in open sessions on Friday.

The court also reviewed and approved the penalties of six others who did not lodge appeals against the first-instance trial verdicts.