BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has appointed his son as the head of the central agency for development, investment, and innovations, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Maksim Bakiev, the president's youngest son, previously ran a business abroad. But he is also known to have exerted substantial influence in the country's politics since his father became president in 2005.
Ulugbek Ormonov, a member of the pro-presidential Ak-Jol (Bright Path) party, told RFE/RL that Maksim Bakiev has proven himself as a successful businessman whose foreign experience will be useful for Kyrgyztsan's investment policies.
But Topchubek Turgunaliev, a member of the United Popular Movement -- an umbrella group of several Kyrgyz opposition blocs and parties -- has criticized the appointment.
Turgunaliev told RFE/RL that the president is following the common Central Asian trend of keeping power concentrated in the country's first family.
Kurmanbek Bakiev's eldest son works for the National Security Service.
Maksim Bakiev, the president's youngest son, previously ran a business abroad. But he is also known to have exerted substantial influence in the country's politics since his father became president in 2005.
Ulugbek Ormonov, a member of the pro-presidential Ak-Jol (Bright Path) party, told RFE/RL that Maksim Bakiev has proven himself as a successful businessman whose foreign experience will be useful for Kyrgyztsan's investment policies.
But Topchubek Turgunaliev, a member of the United Popular Movement -- an umbrella group of several Kyrgyz opposition blocs and parties -- has criticized the appointment.
Turgunaliev told RFE/RL that the president is following the common Central Asian trend of keeping power concentrated in the country's first family.
Kurmanbek Bakiev's eldest son works for the National Security Service.