Kazakh Prosecutor Seeks Long Prison Terms For Alleged Terrorists

QARAGHANDY, Kazakhstan -- The chief prosecutor in the central Kazakh city of Qaraghandy on December 6 requested sentences ranging from 10 to 14 years in prison for members of an alleged terrorist group.

Eight men who the authorities say are Islamic extremists went on trial in Qaraghandy on October 31.

The trial has been held behind closed doors at the Qaraghandy Regional Court.

The defendants were arrested in June and charged with the creation of a terrorist group and participation in its activities, as well as illegal possession of weapons.

Investigators say the group planned a series of terrorist attacks in the region, including an attack against a Russian radar station near Lake Balkhash.

One of the group's members had blown himself up when police tried to detain him.