BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – A Kyrgyz lawmaker who was a close ally of the country's former leader was gunned down Friday, officials said.
Jyrgalbek Surabaldiyev (search) was shot by two unidentified assailants as he was getting into his car, said Kyrgyz Interior Minister Murat Sutalinov (search).
His driver was wounded in the attack, which happened in a central square where Parliament and several government agencies are located.
Surabaldiyev was a strong supporter of longtime President Askar Akayev (search), who was ousted in March's popular uprising and fled to Russia. Some of Surabaldiyev's political foes accused him of organizing widespread looting in the Kyrgyz capital after Akayev's ouster.
Surabaldiyev also owned a car market in the Kyrgyz capital.
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