Kyrgyz opposition leader detained on charge of corruption

Leader of the Kyrgyz opposition party Ata-Meken Omurbek Tekebayev was detained on charge of corruption and fraud, the press service of the State Committee for National Security announced on Sunday.

Tekebayev, 58, was detained early Sunday at Manas international airport upon his arrival from Istanbul of Turkey and was taken into custody for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the court will adopt a preventive measure against the detainee.

The Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal case against Tekebayev on Saturday for corruption and fraud. He was accused of accepting a 1 million U.S. dollar bribe from a Russian investor in 2010 in a take-over deal concerning a local telecommunications company.

Meanwhile, secretariat of the Ata-Meken party released a statement, saying that the lawyer was not allowed to see the detainee in the first two hours.

Local media reported that hundreds of people gathered near the building of the State Committee for National Security, demanding release of Tekebayev.

Bishkek police said that Tekebayev's supporters blocked the highway from Bishkek to Manas airport. Fifteen people were detained.

Source: Xinhua