Kyrgyzstan interim government to try ousted president News
Kyrgyzstan interim government to try ousted president

[JURIST] The Kyrgyzstan interim government announced Sunday that it will place ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev [BBC profile] on trial for killings that took place during the recent uprising [JURIST report] earlier this month and for abuse of power while in office. The interim government is also planning to try [VOA report] members of Bakiyev's family and administration on charges that include corruption and human rights violations. Despite the pledge to bring Bakiyev and his allies to justice, so far only Baktybek Kaliyev, Bakiyev's defense minister, has been arrested [AFP report]. It is believed that Bakiyev is currently in Kazakhstan, and interim officials have said they will seek extradition to bring him before their courts.

Last week, Kyrgyzstan interim leader Roza Otunbayeva [Telegraph profile] said that Bakiyev should stand trial [JURIST report] for the recent violence. The protests, prompted in part by a drastic increase in utility costs, led to at least 84 deaths [Reuters report] and many more injuries. Earlier this month, Otunbayeva launched the interim government [JURIST report] after the violence forced Bakiyev to flee the capital. The protests came just one week after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] urged Kyrgyzstan to protect all forms of human rights [JURIST report], including "free speech and freedom of the media."