Kyrgyzstan's parliament is meeting in emergency session after a long-standing lawmaker was murdered outside his home in the capital, Bishkek, five months after surviving another attempt on his life.
Kyrgyz lawmakers, commenting on the fatal shooting of Bayaman Erkinbayev, say his death appears to have been a settling of criminal scores linked to the redistribution of property.
A long-serving lawmaker, Mr. Erkinbayev had many business interests in Kyrgyzstan - some reported to be controversial, according to Kyrgyzstan's official KABAR news agency.
Appearing before lawmakers meeting in extraordinary session Thursday, Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev expressed regret that in his first five months in power he has not been able to clean up corruption - particularly that found between business and law enforcement.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov says Mr. Erkinbayev came to him recently and expressed concern for his safety, even naming those he believed were trying to kill him. Mr. Kulov says he will share that information with investigators.