Eccentric Kyrgyz opposition politician Arstanbek Abdyldaev has died while in a pretrial detention facility, his lawyer said on January 5. After Abdyldaev's lawyer broke the news, prison authorities said he was found hanged in a jail cell. Abdyldaev was detained on December 15 on suspicion of “inciting religious hatred.” Authorities said he was diagnosed last week with a “personality disorder, heart disease, and high blood pressure.” Abdyldaev’s lawyer called for a probe into his death. Abdyldaev, who ran for president several times, was known for making bizarre comments, such as declaring himself a savior of the nation and predicting in 2011 that there would be no winter that year. To read the original report by RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service, click here.
