January 10, 2005, at around 5:30pm, four members of militia, who showed their identity cards captured the driver of oppositionist deputy Bolotbek Sherniyazov.

After he was captured the driver was taken to the parking lot in front of the Palace of Sport named after Kojomkul and at the presence of witnesses (watchman of the parking lot E. Adylov and a person who was passing by. As it was later found out a person who was passing by works in the President’s Administration) the car (license plates № KG 0019) was searched, this car, by the way, is inviolable. During the search they took away driver’s 2700 soms and a cell phone.

According to the driver T. Turgunaliev, during the search militiamen tried to place stealthily something into his picket, probably drugs, however they didn’t succeed in doing this. However later in the trunk of the car a match box was found, it was hashish which was put by militiamen. As a result of investigation members of militia drew up a report which was signed by mentioned above witnesses.

It is interesting that to the parking lot T. Turgunaliev was brought on different car, and member of militia drove his car. After search T. Turgunaliev was taken to the highway of Bishkek city and severely beaten. During beating he was questioned about B. Sherniyazov’s personal life and they threatened him by saying that they will do the same to everyone who belongs to opposition.

In one hour the driver was taken back, his car was left at the parking lot and militiamen disappeared.

After this incident T. Turgunaliev contacted B. Sherniyazov. In order to clarify this case representatives of Ombudsman of Kyrgyz Republic and also deputies Alymbai Sultanov and Adahan Madumarov were invited to visit the parking lot. Representatives of National Security Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs who were invited to the place of incident denied the fact that their members have any connection to this incident.

It is interesting that this case happened during pickets, which are organized by “Ata-Jurt” union due to refusal to register R. Otunbaeva. B. Sherniyazov took an active part in this movement. However, authorities don’t want to connect his incident to on-going pickets. Representatives of public union “Ata-Jurt” state that they are being spied on.

B. Sherniyazov is planning to conduct a press conference regarding this case, during which he wants to tell about details of this incident. According to B. Sherniyazov, “Achekei” enterprise, where several members are his relatives was subjected to total check-up by state agencies. Rayon State Taxation Inspection, city State Taxation Inspection, state Taxation Inspection, National Bank, City Administration of Internal Affairs visited the enterprise with for check-up. During check-up they said that tomorrow the enterprise won’t have licenses for carrying out its business. If this will happen, about 60-70 people will lose their jobs.

Ramazan Dyryldaev.