More Convictions Handed Down In Andijon Violence

Andijon defendants on trial last month listening to the judges's verdict (RFE/RL) 21 December 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Uzbekistan's Supreme Court said today that another 42 people were convicted of involvement in the May violence in the eastern city of Andijon and received prison sentences ranging from 12 to 20 years.

The court released a statement that said the 42 were convicted in three separate closed trials.

The statement said the defendants were "found guilty of carrying out premeditated murders in aggravated circumstances, terrorist acts, infringement of the constitutional system, and other serious and very
serious crimes."

More than 100 people have already been sentenced in connection with the violence in Andijon. The Uzbek government says 187 people died but international rights organizations say many hundreds were killed
by security forces.

Some 70 other defendants are still awaiting trial.

(RFE/RL's Uzbek service with agencies)