Pogromists of Azerbaijanis convicted in Transbaikalia

Today, the Khilok District Court of the Transbaikalian Territory has announced a verdict on the criminal case against 32 local residents accused of attacking in May 2006 families of Azerbaijani natives in the village of Kharagun, where 11 persons suffered and one perished.

"The court has sentenced one of the defendants to 6 years of imprisonment in a strict custody colony, eight other pogromists - to 5.5 years of strict custody colony. Three defendants were sentenced to 3.5 years of general custody colony each, and the remaining defendants have been sentenced to 2 and 3 years of conditional punishment", informs the Judicial Department of the Chita Region.

According to the source in the court, who is quoted by the RIA "Novosti", one of the defendants was recognized non compos mentis (deranged) and exempted from criminal liability.

For reference: On May 17, 2006, pogroms were accomplished in houses of 19 Azerbaijani families in the village of Kharagun. According to the UVD (Interior Department), the disorders had been caused by the fact that local population was displeased with the Azerbaijanis resident in the village and demanded that they should be evicted. Local residents set on fire and plundered their houses, stole their gold ornaments, home appliances and clothes, and burnt or damaged seven trucks and ten cars. As a result of the pogrom, most of the Azerbaijanis left Kharagun within a month after these events. Over 40 persons were found to be victims in the criminal case, and the damage that they had suffered made over 2 million roubles.