Asia

(Photo: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

Monday, shortly after anti-corruption authorities in Kyrgyzstan announced they had opened a criminal investigation against Defense Minister Abibilla Kudaiberdiev–alleging that he misappropriated ministry funds for personal gain–the minister was relieved of his post.

According to the corruption control service and the military prosecutor’s office, Kudaiberdiev and his associates embezzled 12 million soms ($175,000) from the defense ministry’s budget last summer. As reported by 24.kg, the criminal case announced this week includes charges of abuse of power, forgery and embezzlement and targets Kudaiberdiev and several associates within the ministry as well as within the Asker-Kurulush state enterprise, to which the embezzled funds were funneled.

President Almazbek Atambayev then dismissed Kudaiberdiev from his post. As RFE/RL reported, it is not clear whether the former minister has been detained.

The original article can be found at thediplomat.com