BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz prosecutors have said they want a longer sentence for a nephew of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev who was convicted of involvement in deadly unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan last year, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Sanjar Bakiev pleaded guilty to involvement in deadly riots in the city of
Jalal-Abad in May. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail on November 2 but
appealed the sentence.
Hearings into Sanjar Bakiev's appeal began in the Chui Oblast court in December.
Sanjar Bakiev's public defender, Bubuaisha Arstanbekova, told RFE/RL that at the appeal trial session on January 27 the Chui Oblast prosecutor demanded that Bakiev's prison term be lengthened to 25 years.
Arstanbekova says the appeal hearing will continue on February 1.
In mid-May, groups allegedly associated with the former president temporarily seized the city hall in the southern city of Jalal-Abad. That was followed by unrest in Jalal-Abad the following week when demonstrators tried to storm a university. At least two people were killed in the clashes.
Sanjar Bakiev was charged with helping organize the earlier incident and with illegal possession of weapons.
His appeal is being held near Bishkek for security reasons.
Former President Bakiev lives in Belarus, where he eventually fled after being ousted in April last year. Several of his brothers and two of his sons are wanted by Kyrgyz officials for alleged crimes committed.
Read in Kyrgyz here
Sanjar Bakiev pleaded guilty to involvement in deadly riots in the city of
Jalal-Abad in May. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail on November 2 but
appealed the sentence.
Hearings into Sanjar Bakiev's appeal began in the Chui Oblast court in December.
Sanjar Bakiev's public defender, Bubuaisha Arstanbekova, told RFE/RL that at the appeal trial session on January 27 the Chui Oblast prosecutor demanded that Bakiev's prison term be lengthened to 25 years.
Arstanbekova says the appeal hearing will continue on February 1.
In mid-May, groups allegedly associated with the former president temporarily seized the city hall in the southern city of Jalal-Abad. That was followed by unrest in Jalal-Abad the following week when demonstrators tried to storm a university. At least two people were killed in the clashes.
Sanjar Bakiev was charged with helping organize the earlier incident and with illegal possession of weapons.
His appeal is being held near Bishkek for security reasons.
Former President Bakiev lives in Belarus, where he eventually fled after being ousted in April last year. Several of his brothers and two of his sons are wanted by Kyrgyz officials for alleged crimes committed.
Read in Kyrgyz here
