London: The son of Kyrgyzstan`s ousted
President has applied for asylum in Britain after being
"forced into exile in fear for my life," he said via British
lawyers today.
Maxim Bakiyev, 32, nicknamed "the Prince" for his
penchant for luxury, said he had fled Kyrgyzstan as
authorities there were trying to make him a "scapegoat" for
all their problems.
They accuse him of instigating the deadly inter-ethnic
violence that broke out last week and he also faces criminal
charges related to his former position as head of the agency
that controls state assets and loans.
Bakiyev arrived in Britain on June 13, weeks after his
father, former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was ousted in
violent protests in April.
"Mr. Bakyiev was screened in accordance with normal
procedures for port of entry asylum claims, and then granted
temporary admission pending the consideration of his claim," a
statement from Carter-Ruck Solicitors said.
In comments released by the law firm, Bakiyev rejected
the charges against him, saying they were "bogus".
"I have been forced into exile in fear for my life. The
interim government in Kyrgyzstan accuses me of new crimes
every day," he said.
PTI
