The powers are increasingly repressing the opposition in order to prevent it from participation in future parliamentary elections. (Feb.20, 2000) Thus, on January 5, they instigated a criminal case against of the leader of opposition party "Ar- Namys" ( Dignity) Felix Kulov ( ex- vice president of Kyrgyz Republic, minister of Interior Ministry and Minister of the National Security, Governor of the Chu Region before and most recently the mayor of Bishkek city ). He was actively supporting reforms of Akaev while he was a public official and in April, 1999 he resigned. He is accused of illegal seizure of 492 917 liters of spirit, being a governor of the Chu Region. (for about $1.5 million) in 1996.

In fact, the above seizure from Khimsintez company was in time an illegal action of powers. And that was one of the numerous illegal actions towards foreign businessmen who wanted to work in Kyrgyzstan. According to the sides of that business Kulov made an unlawful decision with ordering militia (police) to seize the spirit of Khimsintez accusing it of illegal bringing it from abroad. But the thing is that Khimsintez was "roofed" or protected by then vice-premier K.Nanaev. The Supreme Court then ruled in favor of Khimsintez, but Kulov managed to persuade President Akaev that means received from the spirit were spent for the needs of the government and turned to the Chairman of the Constitutional Court - Ch.Baekova. She, in her turn, succeeded through the Constitutional Court to revoke the decision of the Supreme Court. Thus, she found actually an unlawful action of the governor as a constitutional one. So, this way Kulov's action was made as legal. Those who benefited from this deal are clear. Ch.Baekova constructed a huge palace for the name of her son in central part of Bishkek and at the cost of seizure of land territory of a single women, whose home was there and who applied in many instances and failed to find a support of which we reported before. Now, by instruction of President Akaev the case on Khimsintez has been resumed against of Kulov. Actually, the decision of the Constitutional Court can not be annulled. But, but - not in Kyrgyzstan where everything is possible, any means are good as soon as they work for the interests of powers.

F.Kulov realizing the outcomes of powers' unlawfulness (to which in his turn he was promoting himself being in a public service) became one of the strong opposition leaders. President Akaev is really fearing of him not only because of the high reputation of Kulov among the certain categories of electorates but also of a conflict, i.e. if Kulov wins the seat to the Parliament he can address the people which would result into a serious conflict of which Akaev recently told in his private conversation with other opposition leader - D.Sadyrbaev.

2) Prosecution office and militia of Jalal-Abad arrested on January 05, 1999 at 8.30 a.m. Samat Isakunov - leader of the non-governmental organization "Association of veterans of Afghan war", member of the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights in Jalal-Abad. The same day, investigator Kirimbaev of Jalal-Abad GOVD (city Interior Department) , in absence of lawyers, charged him with Article 171, part 3 of Criminal Code of Kyrgyz Republic, then next day he changed the charges to "embezzlement of entrusted property". S.Isakunov is accused of buying an apartment for the state budget money. According to laws participants of Afghan war are eligible for various benefits, i.e. they are also eligible to get an apartment form the government free of charge.

So far, for the past years actions of S.Isakunov were considered as legal and now, all of a sudden they instigated a criminal case against of him because of his membership with KCHR and active human rights activities. He was also acting as independent observer during the past elections to local self-administrations (October 17, 1999) on behalf of the KCHR. Lately he was criticizing prosecution office and militia of Jalal-Abad for arbitrariness. Along with other members of the KCHR he has been actively participating in pre-election observing in Jalal-Abad region, during the military clashes in the southern regions of the country last year (August-October , 1999) he was defending the country with his fellows and at the same time criticizing the authorities for idleness, bad supply with water, food and lack of support of solders' families. About 30 members of KCHR and the Association of Afghan war veterans went to protest rallies in support of S.Isakunov. On January 6, prosecutor of Jalal-Abad region Bakiev released him, but the criminal persecution of Isakunov has not been stopped however.

Ramazan Dyryldaev

Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights

Ivanitsin Str, 123 apt 87

Bishkek, 720011, Kyrgyzstan

Fax: 996 (312) 662515; 660211

Ph: 996 (312) 662515