DUSHANBE, August 17, 2010, Asia-Plus — A decree by Chairwoman of the Interim Government of Kyrgyzstan Roza Otunbayeva on depriving Kyrgyzstan’s first President Askar Akayev of immunity is another mistake of Kyrgyz authorities, Tajik political scientist Abdughani Mamadazimov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
“Even the ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev did not take such steps against his predecessor because Askar Akayev may be said to resign from his post peacefully and remained in the shade, not wanting bloodshed,” Mamadazimov stressed.
According to the expert, such a decree may have the “boomerang effect.” “Though Askar Akayev is now engaged in scientific work, such actions may hurt Akayev’s pride and he may give an adequate response,” Tajik political scientist noted.
Besides, Mamadazimov considers that the Kyrgyz Interim Government now ought to think about extradition of their predecessors, i.e. Kurmanbek Bakiyev, because the Interim Government should have more questions to him [Bakiyev].
“If to compare both ex-presidents, Askar Akayev left power without any provocations and bloodshed, while Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his entourage provoked ethnic conflict that undermined the democratic image of Kyrgyzstan,” the expert added.
Mamadazimov noted that the Kyrgyz interim government had made a series of mistakes and depriving Askar Akayev of immunity was another one. “Such actions of the Kyrgyz current authorities will not promote consolidation of Kyrgyz society and will not strengthen stability and harmony in society,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan’s former president Askar Akayev was stripped of his immunity on August 13. The first president of Kyrgyzstan was deprived of his ex-presidential status as well. Askar Akayev was in office in 1990-2005.
