A Kyrgyz military court sentenced Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is living in Belarus now, to 24 years in prison and his brother Zhanysh to life over a murder of powerful top official Medet Sadyrkulov in 2009. The investigation found that Sadyrkulov had been personally tortured by Zhanysh Bakiyev which resulted in the breaking of several bones.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was toppled in a bloody 2010 uprising fueled by his family’s rampant corruption during a half decade in power, was convicted of abuse of power by the Bishkek military garrison court. His brother Zhanysh, the former head of the state bodyguard service under Bakiyev, was convicted of multiple murder.
The former president has also been charged with mass murder over the fatal shooting by police of dozens of people in the 2010 uprising.
Both men fled to Belarus after the 2010 revolution and the state has so far refused requests from Bishkek’s new rulers to extradite the pair. Kurmanbek Bakiyev received political asylum in Minsk, his brother was also seen there last year.
In October 2012 Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s son was arrested in London but he is not likely to be delivered to Kyrgyzstan. Bakiyev Jr is to stand trial on a charge of financial fraud.
The issue on the Bakiyevs’ extradition is regularly raised both by Belarusian and Kyrgyz authorities.
“The problem of Bakiyev is now no more a problem in our relations,” the Belarusian leader said at his press conference on December 11, 2012. “Why do you need Bakiyev? The man lives his life. He left. Everything can happen. He raises his children.” Lukashenka said that the current Kyrgyz authorities should transfer the pension of the former Kyrgyz president to Belarus. “Transfer his pension here,” he said. “They are said to have imputed it but don’t transfer it.” Mr. Lukashenka also said that Mr. Bakiyev’s children had already learned the Belarusian language.
In its turn, the Kyrgyz side suggested Bakiyev should come and take his pension if Minsk has no funds on his maintenance.
