Russia Asks Kyrgyzstan For Berezovsky Explanation

Boris Berezovsky (file photo) (epa) October 30, 2006 -- Reports from Moscow and Bishkek today say Russia's Prosecutor-General's Office is asking for an explanation of an alleged visit exiled former media tycoon Boris Berezovsky recently made to Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan's opposition claims that Berezovsky, who is wanted in Russia on criminal charges he denies, secretly flew into the country from London in July for talks with President Kurmanbek Bakiev.


Bakiev has denied ever meeting with the Russian businessman.


Kyrgyzstan's 24.kg news agency today reproduced a letter that the head of a Kyrgyz parliamentary commission that is probing Berezovsky's alleged contacts with Bakiev received on October 20 from Russia.


In it, a senior official with the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office says Moscow has obtained confirmation that Berezovsky visited Kyrgyzstan for a few hours on July 29.


The official says Kyrgyz authorities did nothing to arrest Berezovsky, thus violating "their international obligations."


(AKIpress, 24.kg, Interfax)