Kyrgyz Supreme Court To Rule On Akaeva's Candidacy

Ex-president's daughter Bermet Akaeva (RFE/RL) BISHKEK, April 25, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The elder daughter of Kyrgyzstan's ousted President Askar Akaev has appealed to the country's Supreme Court about a decision that disqualifies her from running for parliament, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service reported today.

On April 24, the Kemin district court ruled that Bermet Akaeva is not eligible to be a candidate in by-elections scheduled for April 29.

The court ruled that Akaeva had not met the length-of-residence requirement needed qualify as a candidate for a parliamentary seat.

The April 24 ruling overturned a ruling issued earlier that same day by the Kemin court which would have allowed Akaeva to be a candidate.

But the court's top judge later overturned that initial ruling, saying it had been made under pressure from Akaeva's supporters.

Turmoil In Kyrgyzstan

Opposition protests in Bishkek on April 11 (TASS)

TAKING TO THE STREETS. Edil Baisalov, president of the largest grassroots network in Kyrgyzstan, discussed the political turmoil in Kyrgyzstan at an RFE/RL briefing in Washington. He addressed the question of whether the unrest is a healthy democratic process or a bid to derail the country's fragile democratic transition.