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Probe Launched Into 'Illegal Release' Of Reputed Kyrgyz Crime Boss


Investigations have been launched into last year's release of a reputed crime boss in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz Prosecutor-General Aida Salyanova (eds: a woman) told lawmakers on April 17 that a probe has been launched into the release of Aziz Batukaev due to new evidence obtained by her office.

Batukaev was sentenced to almost 17 years in jail in 2006 for involvement in several crimes, including the murder of a Kyrgyz lawmaker and Interior Ministry official.

Prison officials released Batukaev in April last year, saying he was suffering from leukemia.

The medical report was later found to be falsified.

Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Prime Minister Shamil Atakhanov resigned and the country's ombudsman, Tursunbek Akun, was sacked in the wake of the scandal.

Salyanova says an international arrest warrant might be issued for Batukaev, who is believed to be in his native Chechnya in the Russian Federation.

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