Kyrgyz Adoptions Official Arrested For Bribery

Deputy Minister of Social Protection Gulnara Derbisheva visited RFE/RL's Bishkek bureau in January.

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has announced the arrest on suspicion of bribe-taking of an official of the Social Protection Ministry who worked to arrange the adoption of Kyrgyz children by foreigners.

State Committee for National Security officials said Gulnara Derbisheva was arrested on August 31.

She is accused of taking bribes during her tenure as deputy social protection minister in connection with arranging the adoptions of Kyrgyz children.

Last week, former Social Protection Minister Ravshan Sabirov was arrested for alleged bribe-taking and later transferred to house arrest.

Officials say investigations into the cases are continuing.