Kazakhstan convicts six radicals over terror plot

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ALMATY, Aug. 14 -- A Kazakhstan court on Wednesday convicted six men of plotting a terrorist blast in the capital of Astana.

The six were convicted of "creating, directing a terrorist group" which conspired to bomb a new opera and ballet theater in Astana, Judge Meiram Zhanguttiniv said in reading the trial.

The six men, which were detained in January, were also charged with "illegal purchase, transfer, sale, storage, transportation of weapons, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices," according to the trial.

Ali Sharipov was convicted on 10 counts and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and his property will be confiscated, the court said, adding that his actions were particularly dangerous.

Serik Abdikerov was also sentenced to 10 years in prison and his property will be confiscated, the court said, adding that the rest four were sentenced to between five and a half years and nine years.

Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country with a population of 17 million, has been hit by explosions in recent years.

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