BISHKEK -- A pro-presidential lawmaker has been shot dead in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
Sanjar Kadyraliev, a member of the Ak-Jol (Best Path) Popular Party, was killed at an intersection near his home in the afternoon. Deputy Interior Minister Sabyrbek Kurmanaliev said a criminal case has been launched.
Kadyraliev, 32, was from the southern Osh region. He was elected to parliament twice and was a lawyer by profession.
Melis Turganbaev, president of Kyrgyzstan's freestyle wrestling federation and former deputy interior minister, told RFE/RL that Kadyraliev previously had ties to criminal groups before he was elected to parliament.
He is the fourth lawmaker to be assassinated since the 2005 Tulip Revolution, after Jyrgalbek Surabaldiev, Bayaman Erkinbaev, and Tynychbek Akmatbaev, whose killings are believed to be connected to their business dealings.
Kyrgyzstan has seen growing political tension in recent months in the run-up to July's presidential election.
Sanjar Kadyraliev, a member of the Ak-Jol (Best Path) Popular Party, was killed at an intersection near his home in the afternoon. Deputy Interior Minister Sabyrbek Kurmanaliev said a criminal case has been launched.
Kadyraliev, 32, was from the southern Osh region. He was elected to parliament twice and was a lawyer by profession.
Melis Turganbaev, president of Kyrgyzstan's freestyle wrestling federation and former deputy interior minister, told RFE/RL that Kadyraliev previously had ties to criminal groups before he was elected to parliament.
He is the fourth lawmaker to be assassinated since the 2005 Tulip Revolution, after Jyrgalbek Surabaldiev, Bayaman Erkinbaev, and Tynychbek Akmatbaev, whose killings are believed to be connected to their business dealings.
Kyrgyzstan has seen growing political tension in recent months in the run-up to July's presidential election.