Kazakh riot trial marred by torture claims
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A prominent human rights group has condemned the conviction of 34 people accused of rioting in Kazakhstan's western oil town last year.
Human Rights Watch said in a statement Tuesday that the court should have properly investigated claims that defendants were tortured while in custody.
Authorities insist there is no evidence that suspects were mistreated.
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Thirteen people were sentenced to between three and seven years in jail Monday for their involvement in the unrest, during which at least 14 people died.
A further 16 people on trial were granted conditional sentences, five were amnestied and three were acquitted.
The unrest in Zhanaozen in December came after a seven-month long occupation of the main square by oil workers demanding higher salaries. A confrontation with police descended into rioting.