Seventy-five suspects involved in recent syringe attacks in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, had been detained as of Tuesday, a local police officer said.

"As of Tuesday, police have arrested 75 suspects, cracked seven criminal rings and 36 cases related to the syringe attacks," said Huang Yabo, a senior officer with the regional public security department.

The 36 cases of syringe attacks involved 16 in Urumqi, 13 in Hotan, and two in Turpan, two in Kashgar and one each in the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Aksu and Altay.

Huang said that criminologists had been sent to the region to direct investigations.

There were still a few lawbreakers attacking local residents with syringes, the police officer said.

"The police will intensify the fight against the criminals."

Zhang Jun, deputy head of Urumqi Public Security Bureau, said in one case, two Uygur youngsters had been detained for stabbing a local resident named Zhang Yun in the arm on September 12 in a supermarket.

"The two suspects, who are now under detention, have confessed they attacked Zhang with unused syringes to create panic in society," said Zhang.

In another case, Tursunjiang Turdi, along with seven others were seized for organized attacks on Urumqi residents with needles, pins and toothpicks.

"They have confessed their aim was to undermine ethnic unity in Xinjiang and to create ethnic hatred," said Zhang.

Three Uygurs have already been given heavy sentences ranging from seven to 15 years in jail on Sept. 12 for syringe stabbings or threatening to use syringes during robbery.

Hundreds of people have been stabbed by hypodermic syringes or needles in Urumqi during the past three weeks which triggered mass public anger.

Tens of thousands of residents took to the streets earlier this month, demanding security guarantees. Five people died and at least 14 were hospitalized for injuries during the protests.

The city's public security authorities announced earlier this month that police had caught 45 syringe scare suspects.

Tests of victims' samples had found no dangerous viruses or chemicals, medical experts said last week.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)