China spokesman proposes Dalai Lama go on trial

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese government spokesman on Tuesday proposed Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, go on trial after rioting in the Himalayan region which may have killed dozens.

Premier Wen Jiabao earlier accused the Dalai Lama of orchestrating the riots and said his followers were trying to "incite sabotage" of Beijing's August Olympic Games.

The Dalai Lama had called for an investigation into a Chinese crackdown on the protests and whether it was deliberate "cultural genocide".

Asked to comment, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: "In fact, what the international community should concern itself with and should ask about is precisely what role and function he played in this serious incident of criminal violence involving fighting, smashing, looting and arson.

"The one who should be tried and investigated is the Dalai Lama himself," Qin said.

Asked to clarify, the spokesman added: "I feel at least he should be put under moral trial."

(Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Nick Macfie and Sanjeev Miglani)