Fight against 'thieving officials' to be primary task of Kyrgyz law enforcement structures - Atambayev
BISHKEK. July 1 (Interfax) - Cardinal reforms in the law enforcement structures, which will be reoriented towards fighting corruption in government institutions, await Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev said.
"In the country the law enforcement structures will soon be reformed, the main task of which will be fighting against corrupt officials," he said at a ceremonial event of awarding high school graduates gold certificates on Friday.
"The decision to cardinally reform the republic's law enforcement structures will be put before and adopted by the Kyrgyz Defense Council next Monday," he said.
"We will arrange for the law enforcement structures to deal with the thieving officials first and foremost. We are doing this in order for the citizens of our country to [be able to] conduct any activity and make a living freely," he said.
"The time when people enlisted government service to make multi-million fortunes has ended. This situation existed because everybody, starting from the president and his family, has been engaged in thieving. Those who thieve will serve time in prison. Now many people are serving time in prison and will continue to do so," he said.
In his speech he also mentioned Aidar Akayev and Maxim Bakiyev, two sons of former Kyrgyz presidents, and called for the audience not to follow their example. "I would not advise [you] to act like Akayev and Bakiyev. You should not commit actions for which you and your children may be cursed. Always stay honest people who have good conscience. And do not believe those who say that the end justifies the means," he said.
Aidar Akayev, a son of first Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, was placed on the authorities' wanted list under a criminal case of corruption during implementation of the project of the development of a large gold mine, Kumtor.
Maxim Bakiyev, a son of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was sentenced by a district court in Bishkek to 30 years' imprisonment in absentia. He is charged with commission of crimes under the Articles 'Coercion for accomplishment of a transaction or for resignation of its accomplishment,' 'Money laundering' and 'Extortion' of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code.
