BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbaeva has reshuffled several top judicial and law enforcement officials, saying the move was aimed at strengthening the justice system ahead of next month's elections, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Among the changes mandated by presidential decree today, Interior Minister General Kubatbek Baibolov was appointed prosecutor-general, replacing Baitemir Ibraev.
Presidential office chief Emil Kaptagaev officially introduced Baibolov to Prosecutor-General's Office employees today.
Interior Ministry officials told RFE/RL that Zarylbek Rysaliev, chief of the Bishkek city police department, was appointed interior minister.
The acting chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court, Kubanych Mombekov, was replaced by Feruza Jamasheva.
Otunbaeva also removed Damir Oskombaev from his post as deputy financial-police chairman and appointed Kanybek Nurmatov to the position.
Deputy Prime Minister Azimbek Beknazarov, in comments to RFE/RL, described today's reshuffle as "undercover games connected with the parliamentary elections."
He added that he was not aware of any of today's changes until they were carried out. According to Beknazarov, the president's decisions look like an attack against him and his team.
Beknazarov's duties include supervision of the country's law enforcement and judicial structures.
Otunbaeva is in the southern city of Osh meeting with local officials and relatives of the victims of deadly clashes between local Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in mid-June. Controversial Osh Mayor Melis Myrzakmatov is out of the city for vacation.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 10. The election campaign kicked off on September 10.
Among the changes mandated by presidential decree today, Interior Minister General Kubatbek Baibolov was appointed prosecutor-general, replacing Baitemir Ibraev.
Presidential office chief Emil Kaptagaev officially introduced Baibolov to Prosecutor-General's Office employees today.
Interior Ministry officials told RFE/RL that Zarylbek Rysaliev, chief of the Bishkek city police department, was appointed interior minister.
The acting chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court, Kubanych Mombekov, was replaced by Feruza Jamasheva.
Otunbaeva also removed Damir Oskombaev from his post as deputy financial-police chairman and appointed Kanybek Nurmatov to the position.
Deputy Prime Minister Azimbek Beknazarov, in comments to RFE/RL, described today's reshuffle as "undercover games connected with the parliamentary elections."
He added that he was not aware of any of today's changes until they were carried out. According to Beknazarov, the president's decisions look like an attack against him and his team.
Beknazarov's duties include supervision of the country's law enforcement and judicial structures.
Otunbaeva is in the southern city of Osh meeting with local officials and relatives of the victims of deadly clashes between local Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in mid-June. Controversial Osh Mayor Melis Myrzakmatov is out of the city for vacation.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 10. The election campaign kicked off on September 10.
