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Kyrgyzstan will seek extradition of Bakiyev through international courts

Kyrgyzstan will seek the extradition of Kurmanbek Bakiyev from Belarus through international courts, Azimbek Beknazarov, deputy head of the interim government, said on Tuesday, according to Kyrgyzstan’s news agency 24.kg, BelaPAN reports.

The rejection by Minsk of Kyrgyzstan's extradition request was predictable, Mr. Beknazarov noted.

"They say it is a political case, but we are not condemning Kurmanbek Bakiyev himself; we only want to bring him to justice for the deaths of 90 young people," Mr. Beknazarov said.

“Governments will change in both Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, but our demand of extradition for Kurmanbek Bakiyev will remain unchanged,” said another deputy head of the interim government, Omurbek Tekebayev.

“For Lukashenka, it was a political move,” Mr. Tekebayev said. “He gave refuge to Bakiyev and said that he [Bakiyev] was the legitimate president. He repeatedly said that the interim government had doubtful status. But I repeat once again, we’ll keep urging Mr. Lukashenka to give up Bakiyev to us so that he will be brought to justice here in Kyrgyzstan.”