The Kyrgyz parliamentary elections were held in an orderly atmosphere. 29 deputies were elected, with another 46 to be chosen when a second round is held in March. The elections indicate that the future Parliament will be dominated by MPs who are former businessmen. However, these new MPs are unlikely to facilitate reforms to improve the economic situation of the Kyrgyz Republic or reduce poverty and unemployment

Giorgio Fiacconi, publisher of The Times of Central Asia and foreign investor in Kyrgyzstan for ten years, has been arrested and released after few days. The foreign community regarded the arrest as a clear act of intimidation. Our newspaper was searched and all hard disks of our computer were seized. The investment climate of Kyrgyzstan will not benefit.