By Country / Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Prisoners Given Up To 12 Extra Years For Prison Riot

14 December 2005 -- A court in Azerbaijan today handed down additional jail terms on prisoners already convicted of instigating prison riots earlier this year.

The Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced one defendant, Rauf Mammadov, to 12 more years in prison. The other 12 defendants received additional jail terms of between eight and 10 years.
 
Relatives say they will appeal against the sentences.
 
The 15 February riots lasted several hours. The rioters said they were protesting at harsh living conditions.
 
Measures taken by the government to restore order drew heavy criticism from domestic and foreign rights groups. Interior Ministry troops fired smoke grenades at the prisoners and doused them with cold water as they stood in freezing temperatures.
 
(Space TV/APA)