Kazakhstan sentences extremist who fought in Syria

    A court in Almaty has sentenced a man on charges of terrorism and appealing for jihad in Syria.
    Kamil Abdulin, 29, was sentenced to seven years in jail on May 27.
    Abdulin was found guilty of terrorist propaganda, membership in a terrorist group, and incitement of religious discord.
    In March, two other Kazakh nationals in the northern city of Ekibastuz were sentenced to seven years in jail for taking part in the activities of illegal armed groups in Syria.
    Thousands of volunteers from Central Asia and the Caucasus are believed to be fighting on the side of Islamic insurgents against government troops in Syria.
    A video showing around 150 Kazakh citizens fighting with Islamic insurgents in Syria that was posted on the Internet last year sparked fierce debate in Kazakhstan, according to RFE/RL.