Fired Kyrgyz Official Says He Was Defeated By Corruption

Azimbek Beknazarov (file photo) 20 September 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan's newly dismissed prosecutor-general, Azimbek Beknazarov, today alleged that his removal was linked to the anti-corruption drive he launched following the ouster of President Askar Akaev, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

Speaking today in Bishkek, Beknazarov said he had wanted to fight corruption, but that in the end, corruption defeated him.

President Kurmanbek Bakiev dismissed Beknazarov on 19 September.

Beknazarov was the leading force behind anti-corruption investigations against former government officials, in particular the family of the ousted president.

Beknazarov was a key figure in the movement that toppled Akaev's government in May. He has also announced that he is going into the opposition against Bakiev.

Busurmankul Tabaldiev, previous head of the presidential administration's security department, was appointed acting prosecutor-general.

Tabaldiev says Beknazarov was fired for allowing the release from police custody of two murder suspects.

(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, AP, Aki Press)

See also:

"Georgia/Ukraine: Citizens See No Improvement In Society, Economy After Revolutions"