Supporters of jailed Kyrgyz ex-speaker rally in Bishkek
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 March 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Supporters of jailed Kyrgyz ex-speaker rally in Bishkek, 12 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/534d2e9612.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 12, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
Hundreds rallied in support of jailed ex-parliamentary speaker Akmatbek Keldibekov. (file photo)
BISHKEK – Some 400 supporters of former Kyrgyz parliament speaker Akmatbek Keldibekov have rallied in front of the Prosecutor-General's Office in Bishkek to demand his release.
Kyrgyz Prosecutor-General Aida Salyanova met with protest leaders on March 12 and told them that Keldibekov must stay where he is and cannot even be considered for house arrest.
The protesters vowed to hold another public protest in 10 days.
Keldibekov, who is currently in pretrial detention, was arrested in November and charged with abuse of office and financial misdeeds while running the State Social Fund and Tax Service several years ago.
In December, thousands of Keldibekov's supporters stormed the headquarters of the Osh regional government, demanding his release.
Keldibekov, a member of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Fatherland) party, served as parliament speaker between 2010 and 2011.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
