KHUJAND, February 18, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Two servicemen of border unit # 2199 deployed in the Sughd province – Junior Sergeant Salim Yakhshibayev and private soldier Tojiddin Rasoulov – have got jail terms for bullying (brutal hazing of new recruits by older soldiers).

The military court of the Khujand Garrison on February 17 ruled that Salim Yakhshibayev and Tojiddin Rasoulov be given jail terms of two years and one year respectively and that they will serve their term in a conventional penal colony.

The sentenced followed their conviction on the charge of misuse of powers causing damage to the Armed Forces and prejudicing rights or interests of servicemen or other citizens (Article 391, Part 1 f Tajikistan’s Penal Code).

The source at the Khujand military court said that Yakhshibayev and Rasoulov were detained on December 25, 2009 for beating new recruits.