Kyrgyz Activists Demand Belarus Extradite Former President Bakiev

Former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev at a news conference in Minsk in June 2010.

BISHKEK -- A dozen Kyrgyz activists have picketed the Belarusian Embassy in Bishkek to demand the extradition of ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

The activists represent the April 7 movement and other nongovernmental organizations.

Ondurush Toktonasyrov, leader of the April 7 movement, told RFE/RL on March 10 that if Bakiev is not extradited to Kyrgyzstan his movement will start a campaign to obstruct the diplomatic activities of the Belarusian Embassy.

Bakiev was ousted in the wake of a mass antigovernment demonstration on April 7, 2010. He and some members of his family fled the country with him and are currently residing in Belarus at the invitation of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Bakiev and several of his relatives and former associates are wanted in Kyrgyzstan for corruption, financial crimes, and giving the command to open fire on unarmed protesters during the April demonstrations. At least 86 people died in the incident and hundreds of others were wounded.

Read more in Kyrgyz here