Mangyshlak, Kazakhstan News

Kazakh riot trials spread punishment By Margarita Assenova The courts in Mangistau region of Kazakhstan have concluded the trials of 56 people held accountable for the violent events that took place surrounding a labor dispute in Zhanaozen and Shetpe that took place on December 16-17, 2011.

The trial of 12 people on charges related to December's violence in and around Zhanaozen has ended with 11 found guilty of involvement and one acquitted.

The court sentenced the defendants of the riots in Kazakh Shetpe station to probation and four to seven years imprisonment in the colony, Novosti-Kazakhstan reported.

A court in Kazakhstan sentenced a police officer to five years in jail on Thursday for his actions during last year's deadly riots that shook the Central Asian country's image of stability.