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Kazakh Border Guard Sentenced To Life For Killing 15


Vladislav Chelakh was 19 at the time of the killings.
Vladislav Chelakh was 19 at the time of the killings.
A Kazakh border guard has been sentenced to life in prison in a high-profile mass-murder case.

Vladislav Chelakh was convicted on December 11 for killing 14 fellow border guards and a forest ranger.

In May, the 15 men were found dead at an outpost, which had been burned down near the Kazakh-Chinese border.

Chelakh initially admitted to killing all 15 people but later recanted.

He said his confession was obtained under pressure and claimed the post was attacked.

Chelakh was found guilty of premeditated murder, desertion, theft, illegal weapon possession, and the illegal destruction of military equipment.

Chelakh's relatives and supporters question how the young man, who was 19 years old at the time, was able to kill so many people who had weapons.

The trial began on November 19.

Based on reporting by Kazinform and KazTAG

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