Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Criticizes Security Policy

Azimbek Beknazarov (file photo) (RFE/RL) August 17, 2006 -- A Kyrgyz opposition leader today criticized the government's new antiterror policy, saying it has already led to numerous abuses.

In a statement posted on ferghana.ru, Asaba Party chairman Azimbek Beknazarov accuses Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies of conducting a series of "dubious" security operations in the country's south in recent weeks.


Beknazarov said "dozens of ethnic Uzbeks" had been arrested in the past few days.


He also criticized Kyrgyz security forces for killing five alleged Islamic militants in Jalal-Abad on July 14 and shooting dead a prominent ethnic Uzbek imam in Osh on August 6.


Beknararov says "there is numerous evidence that innocent people are being killed during those [security] operations."


Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir-uulu voiced similar criticism on August 16, accusing the Kyrgyz security forces of imitating the violent tactics of their Uzbek counterparts.


(Ferghana.ru, 24.kg, AKIpress)

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