DUSHANBE, October 9, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first nine months of this year, courts in Tajikistan have passed nine life imprisonment sentences, the head of the Supreme Court announced at a news conference in Dushanbe today.

According to him, among those sentenced to life imprisonment are Suhrob Langariyev and seven his confederates.  The group, led by Suhrob Langariyev, was found guilty of illegal drug and arms trafficking.

The ninth person sentenced to life imprisonment is Rahmatsho Shomalikov, who was found guilty of having raped and killed a teenager, Abdulloyev said.

“Over the report period, courts of first instance have considered 57 criminal proceedings instituted against 153 people, which is 21 percent more than in the same period of last year,” the Supreme Court head said, noting that the number of criminal proceedings on rape (+2), drug trafficking (+3) and killing (+5) charges has increased.