'Voices From Afghanistan' Exhibit Profiled In 'The Washington Post'

"The Post's" Style section highlights the exhibit at the Library of Congress, which showcases some of the thousands of handwritten scrolls and letters sent in by listeners to RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan. More

By Country / Kyrgyzstan

Former Kyrgyz President's Daughter Loses Seat

May 16, 2005

Bishkek, 16 May 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The Central Election Commission in Kyrgyzstan today removed Bermet Akaeva, the daughter of the former president, from her seat in parliament, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

The commission reviewed an investigation into voting in Akaeva's district during the February-March parliamentary elections. The investigation ruled that the elections in Akayeva's district were illegitimate.

The commission voted to cancel the results and revoke Akaeva's right to occupy the seat.

Akaeva's father was chased from power in a popular revolt in late March and is currently in Russia.

Bermet Akaeva returned to Kyrgyzstan last month to take up her seat in parliament. She has not commented on the commission's decision yet.

For more background on the crisis in Kyrgyzstan, see RFE/RL's dedicated website Revolution In Kyrgyzstan