Kyrgyz Opposition Member To Appeal Detention

Bakyt Kalpetov on November 24 (RFE/RL) BISHKEK, November 27, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- A lawyer for Kyrgyz opposition member Bakyt Kalpetov says his client will appeal charges of hooliganism brought against him following his second detention in less than a week.

Jumabek Shakirov spoke to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service today after visiting his client at a detention facility in Bishkek.


"Charges have been brought [against my client] under Article 234 of the Criminal Code," Shakirov said. "This article deals with nonserious offenses. However, I believe those charges are unfounded and that there was no need to detain him. [On November 28], we will appeal to the Bishkek's May 1 district court in a bid to change the measures brought against him."

MORE: Read the complete interview with Shakirov in Kyrgyz.

A member of the Ata Meken (Fatherland) opposition party, Kalpetov was detained twice last week, on November 22 and 24.

Following the first incident, authorities said Kalpetov was involved in an assault against the deputy director of Kyrgyzstan's MTRK state broadcaster. Until today, authorities had not given any explanation for Kalpetov's second detention.

Shakirov says his client has ended a hunger strike he started to protest his arrest.

Ata Meken says Kalpetov's detention is part of political pressure exerted by the government against its opponents.