Kyrgyzstan Parliament Speaker details 'letter of 75' investigation

Marlen Mamataliev, the speaker of Kyrgyzstan's parliament, has spoken out regarding the controversial "letter of 75," detailing the findings of an internal investigation. Mamataliev stated that a commission was immediately formed upon learning of the letter and conducted a thorough review of its journey from registration to committee assignment.

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We found out the course of this letter, from its registration to its arrival in the committee. I'll say right away, this letter was expected at the Jogorku Kenesh. One of the employees was asked, after the letter was brought, to hold it without registration for some time.

According to Mamataliev, the investigation revealed that a parliamentary employee was asked to hold the letter without registering it for a period. Subsequently, instructions were given to register the letter under the name of the then-Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh. The letter was reportedly delivered to the former speaker, who then passed it to his deputy, who in turn sent it to a committee. Mamataliev asserted that all parliamentary staff who testified in court corroborated these details.

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All witnesses – employees of the parliament – gave testimony in court and confirmed all these data. Now, all those who say they are not involved are lying. Everyone knew everything.

The speaker emphasized that those claiming no involvement are being untruthful, as "everyone knew everything." The commission's findings have been handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Mamataliev also commented on the case of Elvira Suraldieva, noting that many deputies wished to defend her but refrained to avoid pressuring the court. He praised her decision to attend court, calling her "a real man" in contrast to some other deputies.

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But now I want to note that Elvira Suraldieva could have not gone to court, but she decided to set an example and went to court. I think she has something to say. Unlike some deputies, she, maybe it sounds rude, can be called 'erkeк'.

Mamataliev further explained that the letter's objective was to expedite presidential elections, suggesting that "prepared experts" had been probing the situation for some time. He credited a swift and appropriate response to the letter's emergence for stabilizing the situation, warning that the country could have faced division and risks to the separation of powers otherwise. The "case of 75" involves several former officials accused of preparing to seize power violently.

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The goal of the letter was to speed up the presidential election process.