Tibetan Buddhist monk, center, cries while he speaks to foreign journalists during visit to Jokhang Temple, 27 Mar 2008

Chinese state media say a court in Tibet has imprisoned 17 people for terms of three years to life for their roles in deadly riots and violence in the region last month.

The official Xinhua news agency did not give any other details on the Lhasa court ruling in a brief dispatch Tuesday.

Tibet's Indian-based government-in-exile says more than 150 people died in a crackdown by Chinese forces on anti-government protesters and rioters. China blames Tibetan rioters for the deaths of at least 20 people.

Chinese soldiers patrol the streets in the Tibetan capital Lhasa after violent protests broke out following days of demonstrations against Chinese rule, 19 Mar 2008

China has ruled Tibet for nearly 60 years. The Communist Party says it freed Tibetans from what it calls "the dark ages" of feudal serfdom. But refugees accuse Chinese authorities of discrimination and of trying to dilute Tibetan culture.