Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev

KYRGYZSTAN: OFFICIALS URGE RETURN TO DEATH PENALTY

September 23, 2009: Officials in Kyrgyzstan called for the death penalty to be reinstated and said public executions could be carried out, a sharp reversal that will likely draw international condemnation.
Executions could in some cases be conducted publicly as a deterrent to crime, said Murat Sutalinov, head of the domestic security agency, a successor to the KGB.
Sutalinov's proposals met with wide approval at a meeting of top security officials.
"Why must (citizens) put up for their entire lives with people who have committed terrible crimes against them?" National Security Council chief Adakhan Madumarov asked.
The National Security Council is scheduled to hold more discussions on the death penalty, and the findings will be submitted to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Earlier this year, Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev recommended reinstating the penalty to cut the murder rate. (Sources: Ap, 23/09/2009)