Ousted Kyrgyz leader's son granted temporary asylum in Britain (Update)

Maxim Bakiyev, the second son of ousted Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was detained on Monday by the U.K. Border Agency after landing at Farnborough airport in southern England in a rented private jet. He has been charged with money laundering and was on the Interpol wanted list.

"I have been forced into exile in fear for my life. The interim government in Kyrgyzstan accuses me of new crimes every day," The Daily Telegraph quoted Maxim as saying in a statement from Carter-Ruck Solicitors.

The source said that a decision to grant Maxim Bakiyev permanent political asylum is possible after the entire circumstances of events become clear.

"Maxim has indeed received temporary political asylum from British authorities," the source said, adding: "It's difficult for me to say how that looks from a legal point of view, but it is clear to us that British authorities are not ready to react to the emotional statements made by the interim Kyrgyz authorities."

"Mr. Bakyiev was screened in accordance with normal procedures for port of entry asylum claims, and then granted temporary admission pending the consideration of his claim," Carter-Ruck Solicitors said in a statement.

Carter-Ruck Solicitors earlier represented interests of Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom in 2003; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

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