Bishkek, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A military court in Kyrgyzstan Tuesday sentenced ousted former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in absentia to 24 years in high security prison over office abuse while being in power. His brother, Zhanybek Bakiyev, former head of the state protection service, was sentenced in absentia to life on six charges including mass murder. The court also ordered confiscation of Bakiyevs' property. Kurmanbek and Zhanybek Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan after a bloody uprising in April 2010 which ousted the president, who ruled for five years. Opposition forces, brought to power by the revolt, put the two brothers on the international wanted list and Interpol has issued a red corner notice for them. Both are currently in Belarus, which has refused to extradite them. --IANS/RIA Novosti sd/dg
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