Sentences Passed In Kazakh Terror Case

Six people convicted of being members a terrorist group in Kazakhstan have been sentenced to prison terms between six and 10 years.

A court in Astana found the leader of the group, Serik Koshalaqov, and his five associates guilty on August 14 of organizing of a terrorist group, planning terrorist acts and burglaries, and plotting to kill security officers and top officials.

The six men went on trial in May, and it was held behind closed doors.

Prosecutors reportedly said during the trial that the group's main goal was to establish an Islamic caliphate in Kazakhstan.

According to investigators, the group planned to blow up the Opera and Ballet Theater in the Kazakh capital, Astana, and to send also financial support to Islamic insurgents in Russia's North Caucasus.


With reporting by Tengrinews.kz and Interfax