BISHKEK, November 21 (RIA Novosti) – Hundreds of protesters rallied in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, calling for the release of the former speaker of parliament, an opposition politician accused of corruption.
Akhmatbek Keldibekov, a lawmaker with the opposition Ata-Zhurt (Fatherland) party, was detained Wednesday on suspicion that he took part in embezzling some 40 million Kyrgyz som ($830,000).
He has denounced the case as politically motivated.
Some 50 protestors rallied outside parliament in the capital, Bishkek, as hundreds reportedly blocked a highway, including by setting up a yurt, in Keldibekov’s hometown in the southern Osh region.
Keldibekov served as speaker of parliament between 2010 and 2011.
