Trial of ex-Presid Bakiyev, his entourage postponed until Nov 22.

18/11 Tass 106

BISHKEK, November 18 (Itar-Tass) - The trial of former President of
Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev, some of his relatives and people from his
inner circle has been postponed until November 22. "The court hearing has
been postponed because the judge demanded to ensure order during the
hearings and security of the lawyers," the republic's Supreme Court told
Itar-Tass on Thursday.
The trial in this criminal case was launched several days ago in
Bishkek. During the hearing the relatives of the victims were behaving
rather aggressively towards the defendants that their lawyers and even
threatened to lynch them.
Charges of power abuse with the use of violence and complicity in the
murder of two or more people were brought against 28 former officials,
including the ousted president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, his own brother
Zhanybek Bakiyev, who headed the State Bodyguard Service, the eldest son
of the former head of state, Marat Bakiyev, and former Prime Minister
Daniyar Usenov. Former Defence Minister Baktybek Kalyiev, former head of
the State National Security Service, Murat Sutalinov, and head of the
presidential Secretariat Oksana Malevannaya. Many of the defendants,
including Bakiyev, have been indicted in absentia, because they left the
country as soon as power changed hands. Six of the defendants are on the
international wanted list. Kyrgyzstan has asked Belarus for Bakiyev's
extradition twice. Both requests were rejected.
For security reasons, and because of the large number of persons
involved in the trial, the court sessions are held in the building of the
Republican Palace of Sports in Kyrgyzstan, which has been under heavy
protection since yesterday. The area of the city around is under the
control of reinforced police patrols. The criminal case consists of 60
volumes. Taking part in the trial are 18 lawyers, seven prosecutors, over
three affected persons and their representatives. Inside the Palace of
Sports the defendants and relatives of the victims are seated in the
opposite parts of the hall.
On April 7, several thousand supporters of the Kyrgyz opposition came
to the central metropolitan Ala-Too Square, protesting against the
policies of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whom they blamed for creating the
country's corrupt government. The protesters then tried to break into the
Government House, where the presidential administration was also located.
The military that were guarding the building opened fire for effect. As a
result, 87 demonstrators were killed and more than 100 injured. The
president at first fled to the ancestral village in the Jalal-Abad region,
and then completely left the Kyrgyz Republic and settled in Belarus.
The 2010 Kyrgyzstan uprising was a series of riots and demonstrations
across Kyrgyzstan in April 2010 that lead ultimately to the ousting of
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The uprising stemmed from growing anger
against Bakiyev's administration, rising energy prices, and the sluggish
economy, and follow the government's closure of several media outlets.
Protesters took control of a government office in Talas on April 6, and on
April 7 clashes between protesters and police in the capital Bishkek
turned violent. At least 88 deaths and over 1,000 injuries have been
confirmed. After the riots, President Bakiyev fled the capital in his
private jet south to Osh, while opposition leaders formed a new interim
government led by former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva. In his southern
home base Bakiyev supporters turned out in large numbers to show support
for him and demanded his restoration to power. On April 15, a rally in
support of Bakiyev was abruptly stopped due to gunfire from unknown
sources. The same day, Bakiyev left the country for Kazakhstan, and then
went on to Belarus. He subsequently resigned as President, although he has
since renounced his resignation.
-0-ezh/ast


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