Criminal proceedings instituted against Kyrgyz ex-presidents

BISHKEK, September 30 (Itar-Tass) - The law enforcement agencies of
Kyrgyzstan have begun to investigate the work of two ex-presidents of the
republic - Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Azimbek Beknazarov, Kyrgyz
deputy prime minister in charge of the law enforcement agencies and the
judicial system, said here on Thursday. "Akayev and Bakiyev were stripped
of immunity by the new leaders of the country," he reminded. "At present
the police and the security services are investigating their work. Legal
conditions have been created for instituting legal proceedings against
them ad absentia."
According to Beknazarov, Bakiyev was accused ad absentia of the
violation of the Constitution in connection with the April 7 developments,
when men of the police and the security forces fired at an opposition
demonstration, killing some 100 people. Nevertheless, the opponents of the
previous regime managed to seize power in the republic. "The criminal case
of ex-President Bakiyev can be referred to court already," Beknazarov said.
Materials on the criminal cases of Akayev, the first ex-president, are
being restored, because they were destroyed by fire in the building of the
Prosecutor-General's Office during massive unrest early in April.
According to Beknazarov, Akayev is suspected of complicity in the stealing
of two tons of gold and in the shooting down of a peaceful demonstration
in the Aksyi District in March 2003. Seven people were shot dead by the
police that time.