Kyrgyz ex-president given 24 years in absentiaFebruary 12, 2013 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Kyrgyzstan military court on Tuesday, February 12 sentenced ousted former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in absentia to 24 years in a high-security prison for abuse of office while he was in power, RIA Novosti said. His brother, Zhanybek Bakiyev, former head of the State Protection Service, was sentenced in absentia to life on six charges including mass murder. The court also ordered the Bakiyevs’ property confiscated. Kurmanbek and Zhanybek Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan after a bloody uprising in April 2010 which ousted the president, who had ruled for five years. Opposition forces, brought to power by the revolt, put the two brothers on the international wanted list and Interpol has issued a red notice for them. Both are currently in Belarus, which has refused to extradite them. According to Belarusian media reports, the two brothers have been granted political asylum by President Alexander Lukashenko. Kurmanbek Bakiyev has received Belarusian citizenship and acquired real estate in a Minsk suburb. That information has not been officially confirmed or denied. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |