The Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office said on Friday it had received a formal extradition request for ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Bakiyev took refuge in Belarus after fleeing Kyrgyzstan last month. The interim authorities, who took power amid violent unrest in early April, accuse the ousted president of involvement in the shooting of civilians during riots in the capital, Bishkek.
"Today we have received the original of an extradition request from the Kyrgyz Prosecutor's Office, as well as an 18-page attachment," spokesman Pyotr Kiselyov said.
He did not say what was contained in the attached papers, only saying "these are official documents pertinent to the case."
But while Kiselyov said his office was already considering the extradition request, he offered no indication as to when a decision could be made.
"This depends on numerous factors. Additional documents may be needed," he said.
More than 80 people died in clashes between opposition protesters and security forces in Bishkek on April 7 and 8, while 1,500 were injured.
The interim government says the shooting of civilians took place with the knowledge and consent of Bakiyev. A Cabinet decree stated that security forces under the control of the then-president, including snipers, fired at members of the public.
Bakiyev fled to neighboring Kazakhstan on April 15 and then to Belarus on April 20.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who offered Bakiyev refuge and criticized his overthrow, said in early May he did not intend to hand the former president over to the new authorities in Kyrgyzstan.
MINSK, May 21 (RIA Novosti)
