Head Of Kyrgyz Anticorruption Department Killed

6 May 2004 -- Interior Ministry spokesman Joldoshbek Buzurmankulov told a press conference today in Bishkek that Chynybek Aliev, chief of the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry's anticorruption department, was shot dead as he was driving his car last night.

Buzurmankulov blamed "criminals" for the murder and said the killing was related to Aliev's work.

Aliev was reportedly hit by 17 bullets fired from an automatic weapon.

Buzurmankulov said Aliev was investigating contract killings and appeared to have become a victim of the crime he was fighting.

(ITAR- TASS)