Three of the four top members of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government are bringing their mutual hatred into the public arena following a bugging scandal last week.
Almazbek Atambayev, the deputy-chairman for economic affairs, has confirmed that recordings of his voice in compromising telephone conversations are authentic.
“I want an investigation according to the law. If I am guilty, handcuff and put me in prison,” he told a press briefing on May 23. He blamed foreign intelligence agencies for creating the recordings.
The conversations were posted on YouTube on May 19, discrediting several top figures in Kyrgyzstan’s interim government.
In a talk with Azimbek Beknazarov, first deputy for judicial and legal reforms, the later accused Atambayev of selling the country’s top customs job for $400,000.
(Learn more about the provisional government membership here).
It is common knowledge in Kyrgyzstan that there are disagreements between members of the Interim Government, including fights for key positions.
In a tape released the same day, First Deputy for Finance Temir Sariev and Beknazarov purportedly discuss stealing $1,000,000. Sariev has confirmed the authenticity of his voice on that tape and said the conversation was taken out of context.
Ignoring Sariev’s explanation, Atambayev called his colleagues “thieves.”
Immediately after Bakiyev’s escape from Bishkek, Sariev, Beknazarov and Atambaev introduced their own candidates for the position of the chairperson of the Kyrgyz State Customs Service, reported Ferghana.ru at the time.
The infighting is the strongest show of internal divisions since the coalition of opposition figures took power on April 7.
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