Russian media reports say a court in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg has sentenced five Tajik men to lengthy prison terms on charges of creating terrorist group and participating in it.
Kommersant reports that Abubakr Sangcharov, who holds Russian citizenship, and Saginmurod Musofirov were found guilty of the creation of a terrorist group, illegal production of explosives or explosive devices by a group of persons by prior agreement, illegal possession or carrying of explosives by a group of persons by prior agreement, preparation for a terrorist attack by a group of persons by prior conspiracy and sentenced to 25 and 24 years in prison, respectively.
Shahromjon Musofirov was sentenced 16 years in prison, Nourali Doustov was sentenced to 17 years in prison, and Anvarsho Avezov was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The sentence followed their conviction on charges of illegal production of explosives or explosive devices by a group of persons by prior agreement, illegal possession or carrying of explosives by a group of persons by prior agreement, preparation for a terrorist attack by a group of persons by prior conspiracy.
The court also imposed a 350,000-ruble fine on each of them.
Kommersant reports that according to a source in the investigative authorities, the convicts were preparing a terrorist attack at the subway station “Uralskaya” in Yekaterinburg. They pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them.
