Foundation Run By Kyrgyz Ex-President's Wife Probed

Bishkek, 26 April 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan Prosecutor-General's Office has launched a criminal investigation of a foundation headed by Mairam Akaeva, wife of former President Askar Akaev.
According to acting Prosecutor-General Azimbek Beknazarov, the investigation of the foundation Meerim was launched on the basis of appeals by several businessmen and citizens.

Meanwhile, Beknazarov said his office will provide all documents written by former President Akaev to the judiciary during upcoming anticorruption investigations.

Some parliament members are urging the prosecutor to publish all the names of local and foreign businessmen who have ties with the former president's family.

The interim government suspects that about at least 42 companies were controlled by Akaev's family.

Akaev rejected accusations the interim government made against his family in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service on 24 April.