BISHKEK, July 4 (RAPSI) - The Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek has sentenced Paizullabek Rakhmanov, a close supporter of former president of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev, to 12 years in prison for organizing mass riots and carrying out official crimes, the press service of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan told RIA Novosti today.

A mass riot in April 2010 resulted in the downfall of the former president, who himself had risen to power by overthrowing President Askar Akayev in 2005.

Following the coup in 2010, the country sank into a series of riots that culminated in a violent interethnic clash between the Kyrgyz and the Uzbeks who live in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Around 90 people were killed and over 1,000 were injured. Bakiyev, his brother, and several of their relatives were charged with mass murder and abuse of power, and placed on the international wanted list.

While Bakiyev was still in office, Rakhmanov held several high-level posts, including head of the public agency for state procurement and material reserves. In April 2010, Rakhmanov together with his supporters seized the Dzhalal-Abad regional administration building in southwestern Kyrgyzstan and declared himself governor of the region.

After suppressing riots, Rakhmanov left the country and was put on the international wanted list. In January he was arrested in Kazakhstan and extradited to his home country.

"The court found Rakhmanov guilty of organizing mass riots (Article 233), unwarranted appropriation of title and authority (Article 343) and abuse of power (Article 304), and was sentenced to 12 years in a colony with a reinforced regime," a court spokesperson said.

In addition, the court ordered the defendant to pay a fine of $250 to the Dzhalal-Abad regional administration and a fine of $520 to the Interior Ministry's office in the Dzhalal-Abad region, since their buildings were damaged as a result of the riots.