BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's prosecutor-general says Belarusian officials have refused for the second time to extradite ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Speaking at a cabinet session on national security, Baitemir Ibraev said the Prosecutor-General's Office has twice formally asked Belarus to hand over Bakiev. He said Belarusian officials refused on both occasions on the grounds that there is "insufficient evidence proving Bakiev's guilt."
Bakiev and several of his relatives are wanted in Kyrgyzstan for corruption and embezzlement and on suspicion of giving the order to open fire on antigovernment demonstrators in April.
Bakiev had to resign and fled the country after deadly clashes between protesters and security forces left more than 80 people dead and hundreds wounded.
He has been living in Belarus at the invitation of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka since then.
Speaking at a cabinet session on national security, Baitemir Ibraev said the Prosecutor-General's Office has twice formally asked Belarus to hand over Bakiev. He said Belarusian officials refused on both occasions on the grounds that there is "insufficient evidence proving Bakiev's guilt."
Bakiev and several of his relatives are wanted in Kyrgyzstan for corruption and embezzlement and on suspicion of giving the order to open fire on antigovernment demonstrators in April.
Bakiev had to resign and fled the country after deadly clashes between protesters and security forces left more than 80 people dead and hundreds wounded.
He has been living in Belarus at the invitation of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka since then.