The state-controlled Xinjiang Daily reported today that Aini Aishan organised the July 30 attack on Jume Tahir in the western region of Xinjiang.
The victim was the state-appointed imam of China's biggest mosque and often spoke in support of government policies.
The report said police arrested Aini two days after the attack in the city of Hotan, also in Xinjiang.
Members of China's ethnic Uighur (pronounced WEE'-gur) minority, who are Muslims, have long chafed against Chinese government rule in Xinjiang.