Ousted Kyrgyz Ombudsman In 'Serious' Condition

Tursunbek Akun (file photo)

BISHKEK -- Ousted Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbek Akun is in "serious but stable" condition a day after lawmakers voted him out of his position amid corruption allegations.

Doctor Syinagul Ibraeva told RFE/RL on June 28 that Akun has regained consciousness in a Bishkek hospital.

Akun was hospitalized after fainting during a break in the June 27 parliamentary session.

At the same session, Kyrgyz lawmakers voted to dismiss him from his post because a parliamentary commission said Akun had been involved in the illegal early release from prison of reputed crime boss, Aziz Batukaev, in April.

The commission also stated it found financial irregularities in the ombudsman's office.

Before being nominated to the position by former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2008, the veteran rights defender led the president's Commission for Human Rights.