Former Head Of Kazakh Antidrug Agency Arrested

ASTANA -- Former Kazakh antidrug agency head Askar Isagaliev, who was charged with abuse of power while in office, has been arrested in Turkey, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Kazakh Interior Ministry spokesman Kuanyshbek Jumanov said in Astana today that Isagaliev was arrested on January 9 in the resort town of Antalya.

Jumanov said the ministry is discussing with Turkish officials the question of extraditing Isagaliev.

Jumanov said the Interior Ministry's investigation committee initiated a criminal case against Isagaliev in October and had issued an international warrant for his arrest.

Isagaliev was the head of Kazakhstan's antidrug agency from August 2008 until February 2009.