Former Kyrgyz President's Son Sentenced In Absentia

Maksim Bakiev

BISHKEK -- Maksim Bakiev, a son of former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, has been sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison.

A spokesman for the Kyrgyz Prosecutor-General told RFE/RL that Maksim Bakiev was found guilty on March 26 of making illegal land purchases and brokering a corrupt deal for an electric power company's shares.

He was initially arrested in London and then released on bail after his father was ousted as president in April 2010.

In October, London police rearrested him on charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in a U.S. case.

He was again released on bail.

Hearings on Maksim Bakiev's extradition to the United States are scheduled for May 13.

Kyrgyzstan has no extradition agreements with either Washington or Britain.