Bishkek, 11 March 2002 (RFE/RL) -- The trial of jailed Kyrgyz parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov is scheduled to continue today after a one-month delay. The trial began on 12 February in the town of Toktogul. It was postponed the same day when Beknazarov rejected the judge, Busurmankul Baktygulov. A different judge will oversee today's proceedings.
Beknazarov was arrested in January on charges of abuse of power while serving as the district prosecutor in the Toktogul district in 1995. He and his supporters say he was arrested because he criticized the government of President Askar Akaev. A series of protests, including hunger strikes, have occurred because of his detention.
Beknazarov was arrested in January on charges of abuse of power while serving as the district prosecutor in the Toktogul district in 1995. He and his supporters say he was arrested because he criticized the government of President Askar Akaev. A series of protests, including hunger strikes, have occurred because of his detention.