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YINCHUAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- An arsonist, who is alleged to set a bus on fire in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in January that killed 18 people, was tried Wednesday.
Prosecutors told the Intermediate People's Court of Yinchuan, capital of the region, that Ma Yongping's crime was a serious breach of public security with particularly grievous consequences.
Ma set a bus on fire using a bottle of gasoline to vent his anger over a personal dispute on Jan. 5. The fire, which quickly turned the bus into an empty shell, killed 18 people and injured 32.
The defendant pleaded guilty and showed repentance.
More than 200 local lawmakers, political advisors, journalists and members of the public attended the hearing. The verdict will be announced at a later date.
