The leader was incarcerated after he was accused of  spreading extremism, Kyodo news agency reported quoting sources.

In addition to the person who led prayers in the mosque, other religious leaders have been also detained, the sources said, amid accusations that the Communist-led government has infringed on the human rights of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the region, reports the news agency.

The former imam at the Id Kah mosque was sentenced to 15 years in prison, the sources told the news agency.

The Chinese government's treatment towards the Uyghur Muslim in Xinjiang region has always earned criticisms various countries. China, however, has denied the allegations.

The current imam at the mosque, however, has denied religious oppression by the ruling Communist Party, reports Kyodo news agency.