DUSHANBE/KHOROG, February 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Relatives of four residents of Khorog, who were sentenced to long jail terms for fatal fight, gathered outside the Khorog mayor’s office on February 20 in protest against, as they say, unfair sentence.  After conversation with the Khorog municipal officials they dispersed.

Asia-Plus’ reporters tried to get in touch with Khorog Mayor Ibroim Ghozibekov, but he refused to give any comments on the case.

The GBAO regional court have considered criminal proceedings instituted against four residents of Khorog – Raimyor Nazarmamadov, Maqsad Mamadatoyev, Saidjaffar Mastonshoyev and Munavvar Mamadatoyev – and ruled on February 18 that Raimyor Nazarmamadov be sentenced to life in prison, Maqsad Mamadatoyev be given a jail term of 25 years and Saidjaffar Mastonshoyev be given a jail term of 20 years.  The sentence followed their conviction on charges of murder, hooliganism and theft.

The court also sentenced Munavvar Mamadatoyev to one year in prison for not reporting a crime to police.

Saidmusallam Shomusallamov, chairman of the GBAO regional court, says they beat two local residents Alidod Khudobakhshev and Manouchehr Amonkhojayev on September 9, 2010.  “Khudobakhshev died on the way to hospital of numerous stab wounds he sustained in the fight,” Shomusallamov noted.