Astana court sentences terrorist leader to 10 years in prison

"Koshalakov was found guilty of being involved in terrorism and organizing a terrorist group," Meiram Zhanguttinov, the Presiding Judge, said. "Imposing a sentence of 10 years in prison on the defendant and seizure of property, because he was convincingly proven guilty based on the Article 58 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

The court hearings of the Koshalakov and his group's members in the dock started in mid May 2013. Serik Koshalakov, Ali Sharipov, Batyrlan Abdikerov, Yerzhan Kadirsizov, Agzam Kaskabayev and Syrymbet Zhunusov were accused of forming a terrorist group, making of explosive devices, stealing of weapons and other serious crimes.

Koshalakov was the leader of the group and plotted several terror attacks in the Kazakh capital - Astana. They planned an explosion at the Palace of Peace and Accord, an attack on the National Security Committee's office, assassination of high-ranking officials and so on.