Kyrgyzstan Parliament Strips Former President Almazbek Atambayev of Immunity

The Kyrgyz Parliament today approved a decision by a special parliamentary commission to strip former President Almazbek Atambayev of his immunity, allowing for potential criminal prosecution, reported the TASS news agency.

“The deputies have approved the special commission's proposal to revoke former President Almazbek Atambayev's immunity. Of the 100 deputies present, 95 voted in favor, while 5 voted against,” said a parliamentary staff member.

The former president is suspected of corruption, illegally releasing crime boss Aziz Batukaev from prison, fraud related to land transactions, and acquiring territories through illegal means.

Atambayev served as Kyrgyzstan's leader from 2011 to 2017, becoming the first president to voluntarily leave office after his first term.