Acting Kyrgyz President Japarov signs law on guarantees for ex-President Jeenbekov who stepped down
BISHKEK. Oct 16 (Interfax) - Acting Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree concerning former President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who stepped down voluntarily, the press service for the Kyrgyz government said on Friday.
In accordance with the law on the guarantees of the activities of a president of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and the status of a former president, all the provisions entrenched in the legislation remain valid in relation to the ex-president.
Kyrgyz President Jeenbekov announced his resignation on October 15. Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker KanatIsayev said at a parliament meeting on Friday that he would not assume the presidential powers. Prime Minister Japarov became the interim head of state.
Roza Otunbayeva is the only former Kyrgyz leader who retains the status of a former president, while all the others - Askar Akayev, Kurmbanbek Bakiyev, and Almazbek Atambayev - have been deprived of it.
The law on the status of former presidents says that a head of state who has ceased to fulfil their duties holds the title of a former president, enjoys immunity, and cannot be subjected to criminal prosecution for action or lack of action during their tenure.
It is possible to prosecute a former head of state upon cancellation of this status on the basis of a parliamentary motion for indictment over a grave offense supported by a conclusion from the prosecutor general.
A former president has state protection in Kyrgyz territory and the right to use a state-owned countryside residence for life. A convicted former president loses all benefits.