Journalist Resigns From Kyrgyz National Broadcaster After Interview With Fugitive Ex-President

Kyrgyz journalist Kadyr Koshaliev resigned from the National Broadcasting Corporation (UTRK) on May 23 amid a controversy related to his interview with the fugitive ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiev, which was published on YouTube last week. UTRK said Koshaliev resigned of his own volition as the corporation's ethics commission investigates the interview, which sparked a public outcry. Bakiev, 73, fled Kyrgyzstan for Belarus with his family following anti-government protests in 2010. A Bishkek court sentenced him in absentia to life in prison after convicting him of involvement in the killing of almost 100 protesters during the unrest. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.