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Last Updated: Monday, 6 June, 2005, 19:15 GMT 20:15 UK
Arrest warrant for Kyrgyz ex-PM
By Ian MacWilliam
BBC News in Almaty

Protests were held amid claims of corruption and disputed polls
Protests over corruption claims forced Mr Tanayev to quit
The top prosecutor in Kyrgyzstan has issued an arrest warrant for the country's former prime minister, Nikolai Tanayev.

Authorities said Mr Tanayev was wanted in connection with an alleged illegal transfer of government funds.

Mr Tanayev quit his post when former president Askar Akayev fled into exile during a huge protest in the capital, Bishkek, in March.

He has been living in exile in Russia since his resignation.

A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of Mr Akayev's son-in-law, Adil Toigonbayev.

That is in connection with a corruption case involving Mr Toigonbayev's fuel company, which supplied the American military base just outside Bishkek.

The Kyrgyz authorities have asked Russia and neighbouring Kazakhstan to assist in the arrest of the two men.

Investigation

Mr Toigonbayev, a Kazakh citizen, was particularly unpopular in Kyrgyzstan because he was believed to control many of the country's petrol stations.

The interim government says these arrest warrants - and others which are expected in the coming days - follow from an investigation into a list of more than 170 companies which may have links to ex-president Akayev, his family and associates.

The Akayev family was generally believed to control many of Kyrgyzstan's most profitable businesses, though family members always denied it.

Mr Akayev remains in exile in Russia.

As a former president, he has immunity from prosecution in Kyrgyzstan.




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