[JURIST] The Kyrgyz Supreme Court Wednesday annuled a 2001 guilty verdict for criminal abuse of power against Felix Kulov [party profile], the leader of the Ar-Namys [party website] opposition group who was freed from prison during the March 24 protests in Kyrgyzstan [DC Embassy website] which prompted the flight and resignation of President Askar Akayev. Kulov will appear before the Supreme Court again later Wednesday to challenge another guilty conviction for embezzlement which he claims was politically-motivated. Under the Kyrgyz constitution, both convictions have to be overturned to allow Kulov a chance to run as a presidential candidate in the scheduled June elections. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage of Kyrgyzstan [JURIST news archive]. Reuters has more.
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