Commission Backs Kyrgyz Body's Ruling On Akaev's Son

Aidar Akaev in February (RFE/RL) BISHKEK, October 11, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Melis Eshimkanov, the head of the Kyrgyz parliamentary commission that has been probing the legality of a Central Election Commission (CEC) decision to strip the son of former President Askar Akaev of his deputy mandate, said today the panel has no objections to the ruling.

The CEC on October 5 voted to strip Aidar Akaev and another deputy, Murat Malabaev, of their parliamentary seats, arguing that neither man has attended a single session of the legislature for months.

Aidar Akaev appealed against the ruling, saying it was illegal. Lawmakers also objected to the decision, saying the CEC should have secured parliamentary approval first.

But Eshimkanov told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that the parliamentary investigative commission now backs the decision and will notify the legislature of its conclusions on October 12.

"[Our] commission [examined] the information provided by the Central Election Commission and its decision with regard to Aidar Akaev and Muratbek Malabaev," he said. "It came to the conclusion that the decision was right."

Both Aidar Akaev and Malabaev won parliamentary seats in the disputed 2005 legislative polls that led to President Akaev's ousting and flight to Moscow.

Malabaev is reportedly close to the Akaev family and currently lives in Russia.

(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)