国际英语新闻：Ousted Kyrgyz president charged with organizing mass murder

BISHKEK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been charged with organizing mass murder over the country's bloody unrest earlier this month, the Kyrgyz interim government said Tuesday.

Kyrgyz interim Deputy Prime Minister Azimbek Beknazarov told a press conference that the interim government adopted a legislation on Monday accusing Bakiyev of organizing mass murder and abusing power.

The legislation removed Bakiyev's presidential immunity and declared he was no longer the country's president since April 7, said the official.

Ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev gestures during a news conference in Minsk April 23, 2010

Beknazarov also said the interim government would make a formal request for the extradition of Bakiyev from Belarus to stand trial back home. A decree approving the extradition had been adopted by the interim government and the request would be sent to Minsk, he said.

On April 7, clashes between Kyrgyz opposition supporters and the police evolved into nationwide unrest which killed at least 85 people and ended with the collapse of Bakiyev's government. The opposition has formed an interim government and announced a new draft constitution designed to restrict president's power.

Bakiyev fled Bishkek after the unrest, first to Kazakhstan's south and then to Belarus. He recently claimed in Minsk he was still the country's legitimate president, but would not return to office.

Belarus hasn't responded to the extradition request yet and its president, Alexander Lukashenko, has denounced the unrest and criticized the Bakiyev's overthrow.

Former Kyrgyz Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongantiyev, blamed by the interim government for the bloody unrest, was detained in Moscow Sunday night and is now in custody in Bishkek.