The Kyrgyz ask US and Russia to make Belarus extradite Bakiyev
12- 18.05.2010, 10:38
Parents of the people killed amid April unrest in Bishkek are holding pickets near the embassies of Russia, the US, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
The pickets ask for assistance in extradition of former president Kurmanbel Bakiyev hiding in Belarus, Interfax reports.
“An appropriate statement on behalf of the parents of the killed people will be made to presidents of Russia, the United States, Kazakhstan, and Belarus,” chairman of Meken Sheyitteri public association Arstanbek Sagyndykov told journalists. “Under international covenants, ex-president Bakiyev should be extradited to Kyrgyzstan. The families of the people killed in April insist on trial over Bakiyev,” Sagyndykov said.
More than 80 people were killed in Bishkek on April 6–7.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been in Belarus since April 19. It was a personal decision of Alyaksandr Lukashenka to give him political asylum. This action caused protest of the people of Kyrgyzstan and families of the demonstrators killed on an order of Bakiyev. The embassy of Belarus in Bishkek is often picketed. The new Kyrgyz authorities demand extradition of Bakiyev to his homeland, but the Belarusian authorities refuse.
Bakiyev, one of his unofficial wives and their children live in Lukashenka’s residence, in Drazdy or in Berezinski Reserve.
