Kyrgyzstan: Election of Alleged Criminal Boss Fuels Controversy

Alleged Kyrgyz criminal boss Ryspek Akmatbayev's landslide victory in a controversial parliamentary by-election could fuel political instability in Kyrgyzstan, local observers fear. In what appears to be a nod to growing public concerns about the role of criminal groups in Kyrgyzstan's public life, the Central Election Commission, however, has raised doubts that Akmatbayev will be allowed to take his seat in the legislature.

Akmatbayev won 79.2 percent of the vote in the April 9 vote, held in the constituency of Balykchy, in the Lake Issyk-Kul region.

At an April 11 news conference, Central Election Commission Chairman Tuygunaly Abdraimov stated that an ongoing appeal against the acquittal of Akmatbayev on murder charges could prevent him from sitting in parliament. Another section of Kyrgyzstan's election code, however, states that "a criminal case cannot be grounds for prohibiting a candidate from exercising his or her right to be elected." Abdraimov said that he will ask parliament to clarify the contradiction, the news agency AKIpress reported.

Akmatbayev, who has a prison record, was reinstated as a candidate for parliament just a week before his election. Large protests by supporters, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, had preceded his reinstatement. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Akmatbayev was running for parliament to take the place of his brother, Tynchybek, who died during a 2005 prison riot. The Akmatbayev family claims that Kulov was responsible for the parliamentarian's death.

The controversy surrounding Akmatbayev promises to put the government in a delicate position. The April 9 vote was preceded by a rally against the alleged growing influence of criminal groups in the Central Asian state following the ouster of President Askar Akayev in March 2005.

Some 2,000 demonstrators marched through downtown Bishkek on April 8 to call on authorities to restore law and order. Prominent civil society leaders, some parliamentarians and opposition party leaders, also took part in the demonstration. At the end of the rally, demonstrators gathered in front of the White House, Kyrgyzstan's main government building, and called for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to speak with them. However, unlike two previous occasions when Bakiyev appeared to talk with supporters of Akmatbayev, the demonstrators' efforts were in vain.

Civil society activists and opposition parties have stated that they will stage a similar, nationwide rally on April 29.

Following the announcement of Akmatbayev's election results, civil society leaders urged authorities to fulfill promises made during last year's change of government to crack down on criminal groups. Edil Baisalov, leader of the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, a Bishkek-based non-governmental organization, stressed that demonstrators would hold anti-crime rallies until they deem that Kyrgyzstan's new government has met those promises. Constitutional reform, the overhaul of law-enforcement bodies, a crackdown against corruption and organized crime as well as further liberalization of mass media featured among demonstrators' demands.

"Many people think about leaving Kyrgyzstan, but why seek a new country? We need to change the country's leader for one who will keep promises," Baisalov said.

Meanwhile, members of parliament are reacting cautiously to Akmatbayev's victory. "With the election of Akmatbayev, an inappropriate psychological atmosphere could take hold in parliament, but we should respect the voters and work with him," said Melis Eshimkanov. His position had been shared by many other parliamentarians.

As trust in the government weakens, alternative power centers could strengthen, such experts contend.. Akmatbayev's victory and peaceful March 31 rally in Bishkek can be interpreted as "against the authorities and reflect the public's dissatisfaction with reforms," noted political observer Toktogul Kalchakeev.

Political analyst Marat Kazakbaev thinks Akmatbayev would not threaten parliament's work, but observes that an increasing probability exists that the legislature itself could be disbanded under public pressure. "It's beneficial for neither the government nor the president, and it damages the international image of the country. The authorities' prestige will disappear."

One likely outcome of this campaign, however, some observers fear, is an increase in the political instability that has plagued Kyrgyzstan since last year's so-called Tulip Revolution.