BISHKEK -- A well-known Central Asia expert from Russia's Oriental Studies Institute, Aleksandr Knyazev, has been banned from reentering Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on May 2 that as of April 29, Knyazev would not be allowed to visit Kyrgyzstan for "certain reasons." No further explanations were given.
Knyazev wrote on his Twitter account on May 1 that Kyrgyz border guards gave no explanation for refusing him entry at the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border this week.
Knyazev, a Russian citizen who lived legally for several years in the Kyrgyz capital, said the authorities' decision was politically motivated and connected with his professional activities.
He has often criticized the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan's government.
In 2009, unknown assailants severely beat Knyazev near his apartment in Bishkek.
Knyazev said at the time that it was a politically motivated attack.
Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on May 2 that as of April 29, Knyazev would not be allowed to visit Kyrgyzstan for "certain reasons." No further explanations were given.
Knyazev wrote on his Twitter account on May 1 that Kyrgyz border guards gave no explanation for refusing him entry at the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border this week.
Knyazev, a Russian citizen who lived legally for several years in the Kyrgyz capital, said the authorities' decision was politically motivated and connected with his professional activities.
He has often criticized the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan's government.
In 2009, unknown assailants severely beat Knyazev near his apartment in Bishkek.
Knyazev said at the time that it was a politically motivated attack.
