Kyrgyz Investigators Holding Evidence In Official's Death

Medet Sadyrkulov

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz investigators have received the results of a DNA test that will determine whether former presidential office chief Medet Sadyrkulov died in a suspicious car crash, but they will not release the results until later this week, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Zhakshylyk Sadyrkulov, the brother of Medet Sadyrkulov, told RFE/RL that the Kyrgyz authorities offered to release the results of the DNA test on April 3.

The former presidential chief of staff is thought to have been one of the victims of a car crash on March 13 that left three bodies burned beyond recognition. Investigators had to send DNA samples to Russia to confirm the victims' identities.

Meanwhile, Sadyrkulov's relatives said they thought that he might still be alive, and are holding out hope until the results are confirmed.

Kyrgyz opposition leaders say that the car crash is suspicious and that Sadyrkulov was in fact murdered. They demand a thorough investigation into the case.