MOSCOW, September 28 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of Russia’s Republic of Khakassia has sentenced masterminds of riots in a local penal colony in 2016 to 8 years and 7 months in high-security prison, the Investigative Committee’s press service reports Friday.

Seven defendants have been found guilty of organizing mass riots coming amid violence, arson and property destruction.

According to investigators, on the night of July 24 to 25, 2016, inmates organized mass riots in the prison in order to get a mitigated sentence. They caused damage estimated at more than 1.3 million rubles (about $20,000) to the penitentiary facility.

Investigation was opened in 35 prisoners; 9 persons were charged with organization of riots and 26 inmates were charged with participation in them.

As of today, 25 convicts were sentenced in the case and are serving their sentences in high-security prisons, the Investigative Committee’s statement reads.