The Kyrgyz interim government on Friday stripped the country's first president, Askar Akayev, of immunity and demanded his extradition from Russia.

Akayev left the republic in March 2005 after the "tulip" revolution and currently resides with his family in Moscow.

Akayev has been charged with usurping power, killing civilians, persecuting political prisoners, stealing billions of dollars from the state budget, violating the country's territorial integrity by ceding tracts of border territory to China, and various other crimes.

The Kyrgyz government also stripped him of his status as ex-president.

The Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office has been directed to ensure Akayev's "extradition to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan" and bring him to justice.

Kyrgyz authorities previously demanded the extradition of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev from Belarus. He has been accused of ordering the shooting of civilians, abuse of power and corruption.

Bakiyev and his relatives have also been accused of instigating the recent clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks in the south of Kyrgyzstan, Bakiyev's former stronghold. The interim government says the death toll from the unrest could be as high as 2,000.

BISHKEK, August 13 (RIA Novosti)