A Bishkek court on Monday sentenced several members of Kyrgyzstan's opposition to 4-20 years in prison for plotting a coup.

Ernst Karybekov were sentenced to 20 years with confiscation of property. Ex-member of the Kyrgyz Parliament Kubanychbek Kadyrov and ex-governor of Jalal-Abad oblast Bektur Asanov received 12 years each.

Former state secretary Dastan Sarygulov was sentenced to 4 years in prison, 3 of which are suspended sentence.

Last year, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan arrested several members of the oppositional People's Parliament movement after a recording, which appeared to show that they were discussing plans for the forcible seizure of power, was published by media.

The recording became the basis for the initiation of a criminal case against them.

The opposition figures claimed the recording was heavily edited.

source: Xinhua