Kyrgyzstan offers huge cash bounties for the capture of top officials in deposed government

Kyrgyzstan offers bounties for fugitive ex-leaders

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Kyrgyzstan’s interim government is offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of fugitive relatives and colleagues of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Authorities are looking to close the net on Bakiyev’s circle and said Monday a dozen of his relatives and acquaintances are wanted for unspecified “grave crimes.”

The suspects include one of Bakiyev’s sons and three of his brothers, as well as former Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov. Rewards from $20,000 to $100,000 are offered to those who can help find them — colossal bounties in a country where the average salary is $130 per month.

Bakiyev was toppled on April 7 during a bloody uprising in which at least 85 people were killed. His brother Zhanybek is wanted for ordering police to open fire on protestors.