BISHKEK -- A Kyrgyz court has convicted former Social Protection Minister Ravshan Sabirov of corruption and sentenced him to five years in prison.
The Bishkek City Court ruled that Ravshan Sabirov will serve his term in a maximum-security prison and his property will be confiscated.
Sabirov's former deputy, Takhir Mirzakhmedov, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Both were found guilty of accepting bribes in connection with arranging the adoptions of Kyrgyz children by foreign nationals.
Sabirov served as social protection minister between December 2011 until his arrest in July 2012.
In their first trial in November 2012, Sabirov was acquitted and Mirzakhmedov was imprisoned for six years, but the Prosecutor-General's Office appealed the court's decision.
The Bishkek City Court ruled that Ravshan Sabirov will serve his term in a maximum-security prison and his property will be confiscated.
Sabirov's former deputy, Takhir Mirzakhmedov, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Both were found guilty of accepting bribes in connection with arranging the adoptions of Kyrgyz children by foreign nationals.
Sabirov served as social protection minister between December 2011 until his arrest in July 2012.
In their first trial in November 2012, Sabirov was acquitted and Mirzakhmedov was imprisoned for six years, but the Prosecutor-General's Office appealed the court's decision.
