BISHKEK -- Bones found near the village of Bash-Kara-Suu in northern Kyrgyzstan are believed to be the remains of a missing parliament deputy, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Deputy Ruslan Shabotoev disappeared on September 30, 2008.
Kyrgyzstan's national television channel reported the police discovery of the remains on September 30. Shabotoev's colleagues and friends from the Social Democratic party confirmed to RFE/RL that remains thought to be Shabotoyev had been found.
The Interior Ministry has declined to comment on the report.
Shabotoyev was last seen accompanied by a high-ranking Kyrgyz official in a cafe in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
Local media have speculated wildly about his disappearance. Presidential candidate Almazbek Atambaev stated during the presidential campaign this summer that Shabotoev had been murdered, but did not give any details.
Shabotoev entered politics after mass protests in the country led President Askar Akaev to flee the country in March 2005.
If confirmed to be the body of Shabotoyev, he would be the fifth member of parliament killed since President Kurmanbek Bakiev came to power in 2005.