Former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev's brother, Zhanybek Bakiyev, has been sentenced in absentia by a district court to life in prison, the press service of the Central Asian republic's prosecutor-general's office told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
"In October 2010 the prosecutor-general's office completed an investigation and transferred a criminal case against Zhanybek Bakiyev to the court," the press service said. "He was charged with robbery and embezzlement of around $500,000 from the Jalal-Abad office of the National
Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic on March 24, 2005."
Moreover, he was accused of establishing illegal armed formations, organising mass riots and usurpation of power in April 2010.
"The court ruled to recognize Bakiyev guilty on all charges and to sentence him to 18 years in prison," the press service said. "In addition to the verdicts pronounced by a military court of the Bishkek garrison he was thus sentenced to life in prison."
Kurmanbek Bakiyev came to power after nationwide street protests dubbed as the Tulip revolution that overthrew president Askar Akayev in March 2005. His brother, Zhanybek Bakiyev, headed the National Guard Service that was especially created for him.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev was overthrown in a violent uprising in April 2010. Almost all his relatives fled Kyrgyzstan.
According to media reports, Kurmanbek and Zhanybek Bakiyevs have been staying in Belarus since. Minsk replies negatively to Bishkek's requests on their extradition.
Tass