Kyrgyz Police Release Unseated Lawmaker

Reports from southern Kyrgyzstan say police have released former lawmaker Mamat Orozbaev on health grounds.

The news was announced by Anarbek Kalmatov, the prosecutor of Osh region, where Orozbaev was arrested on December 8.

The former lawmaker, whom the Kyrgyz Supreme Court stripped of his parliamentary seat last month (November 15) after alleged vote fraud during his election, is wanted for suspected involvement in a fraudulent financial scheme that took place before he was elected in May. Orozbaev's supporters say the accusations are politically motivated.

Kalmatov today said the criminal charges against Orozbaev remain in place and that police will question him when his health improves.

Orozbaev was in Bishkek for medical treatment when he was summoned to Osh for questioning. He was arrested soon after he arrived. Orozbaev is currently in hospital.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org