BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Back in 2005, the last time angry crowds toppled the government of Kyrgyzstan, the United States found itself in an awkward position: among the rallying cries was an allegation that the ruling family had benefited handsomely from Pentagon contracts. Now, substantially the same thing appears to be happening again.
LyondellBasell, the bankrupt chemical company built through a takeover by financier Len Blavatnik's Access Industries, has identified corporate activities in Kazakhstan that may break U.S. anti-corruption laws, according to court documents.
The latest developments in Kyrgyzstan show what happens to the government which demolishes all the instruments of civil society.
Opposition says it controls Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan after dozens killed
The jailing in Kazakhstan of an opposition leader on charges of holding an unsanctioned rally is stoking fresh concerns over the fairness of the judicial system in the country currently chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
A U.S. media watchdog has condemned an attack on a Kazakh reporter who covered a rare strike over pay at a state oil company this month.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sets off later this week on a tour of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia that is likely to be closely watched for how strongly he raises human rights issues.
