Kyrgyzstan Reportedly Charges Alleged Spy With Treason
June 25, 2007
BISHKEK, June 25, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- A female employee of the Kyrgyz parliament's press service has reportedly been charged with treason, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.
The National Security Committee declined to comment on the media reports.
Jypargul Arykova was detained in Bishkek on June 19 as she was allegedly passing classified materials to a Chinese national, who has reportedly been indicted with espionage.
Reports say the two accused face from 12 to 20 years in prison.
Kyrgyz human rights campaigners have expressed concerns on the charges against Arykova. Toleikan Ismailova of the Civil Society Against Corruption told RFE/RL that her nongovernmental organization is looking for a lawyer to represent Arykova.
The charges, if officially confirmed, would be a blow for Kyrgyz-Chinese relations on the eve of the August Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in Bishkek, some lawmakers said today.
(with material from 24.kg, AKIpress)