Kyrgyz Lawmaker Detained On Corruption Charges

Akhmatbek Keldibekov

A Kyrgyz parliament deputy from the opposition Ata-Jurt (Fatherland) party has been detained on corruption charges.

Sources in Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security told RFE/RL that Akhmatbek Keldibekov was detained on November 21 amid an investigation into alleged abuse of office and financial misdeeds while running State Social Fund in 2002-2005 and Tax Service in 2008-2010.

Keldibekov used to serve as the parliament speaker between 2010 and 2011.

Ata-Jurt party's leader Kamchybek Tashiev confirmed Keldibekov's arrest to RFE/RL, saying the charges are politically motivated.

Keldibekov has placed a video statement on the Internet hours before his detention, denying any wrongdoings and calling the investigations launched against him "political bargaining."