Kyrgyz Court Reinstates Akmatbaev Candidacy
Rysbek Akmatbaev at the March 31 demonstration in Bishkek (RFE/RL)
"[The court decided] to nullify the No. 13 resolution adopted by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Kyrgyz Republic on 30 March 2006 on revoking the resolution on the registration of [Rysbek] Akmatbaev as a candidate for deputy of the Kyrgyz parliament adopted by Balykchy constituency's election commission on February 7, 2006," said Judge Bekbolot Janaliev on April 2.
The judge said the CEC can appeal the verdict within 10 days.
Some 1,000 Akmatbaev supporters demonstrated in Bishkek on March 31. Armed police took up positions around the government building to ensure protesters did not try to enter.
Akmatbaev's registration had been annulled on the grounds of an outstanding criminal conviction and for failing to have lived in the country for five consecutive years.
Akmatbaev has received a great deal of publicity in Kyrgyzstan since October 2005 when his brother, a member of parliament, was killed in a prison riot.
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