Kyrgyzstan parliament cancels privileges for ousted leader Akayev

Kyrgyzstan's parliament on Friday voted to cancel all special privileges and guarantees awarded by law to ousted President Askar Akayev.

Lawmakers voted unanimously to remove provisions that would have given Akayev wide-ranging influence in this Central Asian nation after his resignation was accepted.

Acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was in parliament for the debate, now must sign it into law, something he is expected to do.

Akayev fled the ex-Soviet republic on March 24 after protesters stormed his office and the opposition seized power. He has offered his resignation from Russia, and parliament is currently debating under what terms it should be accepted, with many lawmakers arguing against a dignified exit for a still reviled leader.

The move gets rid of the country's first post-independence president's continuing right to address parliament, government sessions and state agencies, lifetime membership in the security council and free access to the media.

Lawmakers also agreed to strip ex-presidents of their staff and some social guarantees - a measure that will apply to all former leaders.

Akayev, however, is expected to keep his immunity from prosecution, since it is guaranteed under the Constitution.

Associated Press

On the photo: Askar Akayev