KHUJAND, July 27, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Resident of Sughd’s Isfara district Umarali Akparov, who reportedly deserted in November 2007, has got a jail term of one year.

The Khujand military court sentenced Umarali Akparov, the resident of Sughd’s Isfara district, to one year in prison on July 25.  The sentence followed his conviction on the charge of desertion.  The court ruled that he would serve his sentence in a minimum-security penal colony.

The source at the Khujand military court said that Akparov was arrested by officers from the Isfara police department in May 2009.  “He was conscripted to serve in the army in November 2006 and deserted in November 2007,” said the source, “Akparov justified desertion by brutal hazing of new recruits by older soldiers that was widespread in their military unit.”

“During the trial, Akparov said that his commander of platoon had beaten him and after that he had ended up in the hospital,” said the source.  “However, the officer denied that as unfounded.  According to him, Akparov allegedly fell by himself.”

In the meantime, on December 4, 2007, this officer was sentenced to service restriction with 10 percent of his wages garnished during a year under the provisions of Article 391, Par 1 (office abuse) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code for beating Akparov.