Apr.23, 2010

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Colleagues and relatives of a British citizen kept in solitary confinement in Kyrgyzstan are demanding that his human rights be respected.

The case is adding to concerns about the provisional government's commitment to democracy as it secures control over the Central Asian country after a violent uprising earlier this month that ousted the president.

Supporters of Vugar Khalilov said in a statement Thursday that he has been held for more than 10 days with little access to his lawyer or British diplomats.

He has been charged with money laundering, but his supporters claim the charges are politically driven.

The clients served by Khalilov's public relations company included the ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and a bank with alleged ties to one of his sons.