KUNMING, Sept. 12 -- A Chinese court on Friday sentenced three people to death and one to life in prison for their involvement in a terrorist attack at a railway station in Kunming early this year, in which 31 were killed.

Iskandar Ehet, Turgun Tohtunyaz and Hasayn Muhammad were sentenced by the Kunming Municipal Intermediate People's Court to death for leading a terrorist organization and intentional homicide.

A fourth suspect Patigul Tohti is sentenced to life for taking part in the attack as well as intentional homicide.

Public trial of the four began on Friday morning.

On March 1, a group of assailants armed with knives attacked civilians at the railway station, causing 31 deaths and injuring another 141. Police shot dead four of the attackers and detained the four who stood trial on Friday.