Awfully Convenient?
Whilst being shocked and appalled at the murder of Bayaman Erkinbayev this week, I cant help but feel it gives an awfully good opportunity for a purge. Confused? Allow me to explain.
Following the death of the Kyrgyz MP on wednesday, President Bakiyev adressed Parliament. During the speech he lashed out at law enforcement agencies, claiming they were riddled with corruption
"The fact that criminal elements have merged with law enforcement agencies is not news to anybody. You all know this perfectly well, too. Among those sitting here are people who know perfectly well about it, who know who is connected to whom and how they are connected"
Whilst this may be true, he also advocated a 'purge'. There are several problems with this. Firstly if the police are investigating themselves and these 'mafia' links go right to the top of the force, how can anyone be sure such individuals have been erradicated? Secondly how can anyone be sure this is not just a chance to get rid of influential figures who perhaps dont tend to agree with Bakiyev? Afterall the Prosecutor-General was dismissed, without reason, only this week. Many have claimed this is linked to his corruption drive. It would appear some cages were rattled once Aidar Akayev (the son of former President Askar) was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. Lastly, Erkinbayevs business dealings can be called 'shady' to put it politely. He had many enemies, and so how can Bakiyev be so sure the police were implicated? Did the o-so-reliable security forces tell him so? I doubt it.
What is emerging now has parallels to Ukraine, where the Head of State is forced to work with people of questionable backgrounds from the old regime. Unfortunately Erkinbayev was close to Bakiyev, and if early signs are anything to go by the new President is only prepared to prosecute rivals, rather than ALL people genuinely involved in crime. This half hearted approach will only lead to a new clan system and inner circle, rather than the pluralistic society necessary to strengthen Kyrgyzstan. In my opinion, Bakiyev and Kulov are likely to clash over this issue, as the latter becomes frustrated by the formers unbalanced attitude towards corruption.
If you wish to read more in this issue, check out Central Asia - Caucusus Analyst, where theres an interesting article asking if the revolution was one step ahead or two steps back?
Following the death of the Kyrgyz MP on wednesday, President Bakiyev adressed Parliament. During the speech he lashed out at law enforcement agencies, claiming they were riddled with corruption
"The fact that criminal elements have merged with law enforcement agencies is not news to anybody. You all know this perfectly well, too. Among those sitting here are people who know perfectly well about it, who know who is connected to whom and how they are connected"
Whilst this may be true, he also advocated a 'purge'. There are several problems with this. Firstly if the police are investigating themselves and these 'mafia' links go right to the top of the force, how can anyone be sure such individuals have been erradicated? Secondly how can anyone be sure this is not just a chance to get rid of influential figures who perhaps dont tend to agree with Bakiyev? Afterall the Prosecutor-General was dismissed, without reason, only this week. Many have claimed this is linked to his corruption drive. It would appear some cages were rattled once Aidar Akayev (the son of former President Askar) was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. Lastly, Erkinbayevs business dealings can be called 'shady' to put it politely. He had many enemies, and so how can Bakiyev be so sure the police were implicated? Did the o-so-reliable security forces tell him so? I doubt it.
What is emerging now has parallels to Ukraine, where the Head of State is forced to work with people of questionable backgrounds from the old regime. Unfortunately Erkinbayev was close to Bakiyev, and if early signs are anything to go by the new President is only prepared to prosecute rivals, rather than ALL people genuinely involved in crime. This half hearted approach will only lead to a new clan system and inner circle, rather than the pluralistic society necessary to strengthen Kyrgyzstan. In my opinion, Bakiyev and Kulov are likely to clash over this issue, as the latter becomes frustrated by the formers unbalanced attitude towards corruption.
If you wish to read more in this issue, check out Central Asia - Caucusus Analyst, where theres an interesting article asking if the revolution was one step ahead or two steps back?
posted by MattyJ @ 5:55 pm
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