Edil Baisalov
Encyclopedia
Edil Baisalov is presently chief of staff
to the head of the interim government in Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva
, following the 2010 Kyrgyzstani uprising
on April 7, 2010. He is a Kyrgyz political activist and former president of the Coalition for Civil Society and Democracy, a leading civic advocacy group. He was born in Bishkek
in 1977 and attended the American University of Central Asia
and the Kyrgyz State National University
. He studied in Turkey
(1992–1993) and the United States
(1994–1995) as an exchange student.
In February, 2003, the Kyrgyz government forcibly hospitalized Baisalov, preventing him from attending an NGO meeting.
Baisalov played a leading role in the Tulip Revolution
of March 24, 2005.
Baisalov has campaigned against crime and corruption. On April 12, 2006 he survived an attempted assassination for his vocal criticism of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
's failure to battle organized crime.
In November 2006, Baisalov was involved in large anti-government demonstrations in Bishkek, acting as a spokesman for protesters. Shortly afterwards, Baisalov was again attacked in the Osh airport.
In August 2007 Baisalov joined the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
, chaired by prime-minister Almazbek Atambaev. He played an important role in consolidating democratic opposition to president Kurmanbek Bakiev.
On December 4, 2007 Edil Baisalov was removed by the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan from the candidate list of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
and barred from participating in the early parliamentary elections. Many activists and lawyers claimed this decision to be politically motivated and illegal. Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan alleged that Baisalov had published the ballot on his blog and the General Prosecutor charged him with attempt to undermine integrity of elections.
Baisalov claimed that he was a victim of political vendetta
and left Kyrgyzstan on December 8, 2007 for Kazakstan and later reappeared in Sweden
.
In Sweden he studied at Uppsala University
. On April 9, 2010, following the overthrow of president Kurmanbek Bakiyev
, Baisalov returned to Kyrgyzstan and took a high position in the interim government, frequently appearing as spokesperson of the head of government.
Baisalov is married and has one daughter.
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
to the head of the interim government in Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva
Roza Otunbayeva
Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva is a Kyrgyz diplomat and politican who served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 7 April 2010 until 1 December 2011. She was sworn in on July 3, 2010, after acting as interim leader following the 2010 April revolution which led to the ousting of then President Kurmanbek...
, following the 2010 Kyrgyzstani uprising
2010 Kyrgyzstani uprising
The 2010 Kyrgyzstani revolution was a series of riots and demonstrations across Kyrgyzstan in April 2010 that led ultimately to the ousting of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The uprising stemmed from growing anger against Bakiyev's administration, rising energy prices, and the sluggish economy, and...
on April 7, 2010. He is a Kyrgyz political activist and former president of the Coalition for Civil Society and Democracy, a leading civic advocacy group. He was born in Bishkek
Bishkek
Bishkek , formerly Pishpek and Frunze, is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan.Bishkek is also the administrative centre of Chuy Province which surrounds the city, even though the city itself is not part of the province but rather a province-level unit of Kyrgyzstan.The name is thought to...
in 1977 and attended the American University of Central Asia
American University of Central Asia
The , formerly the Kyrgyz-American University, is a liberal arts University located in Bishkek, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan....
and the Kyrgyz State National University
Kyrgyz State National University
The Kyrgyz National University is a national university of Kyrgyzstan. It is based in Bishkek.-External links:*http://www.university.kg/ - Website of the Kyrgyz National University...
. He studied in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(1992–1993) and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(1994–1995) as an exchange student.
In February, 2003, the Kyrgyz government forcibly hospitalized Baisalov, preventing him from attending an NGO meeting.
Baisalov played a leading role in the Tulip Revolution
Tulip Revolution
The Tulip Revolution or First Kyrgyz Revolution refers to the overthrow of President Askar Akayev and his government in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan after the parliamentary elections of February 27 and of March 13, 2005...
of March 24, 2005.
Baisalov has campaigned against crime and corruption. On April 12, 2006 he survived an attempted assassination for his vocal criticism of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a politician who served as the second President of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010...
's failure to battle organized crime.
In November 2006, Baisalov was involved in large anti-government demonstrations in Bishkek, acting as a spokesman for protesters. Shortly afterwards, Baisalov was again attacked in the Osh airport.
In August 2007 Baisalov joined the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan is a political party in Kyrgyzstan. Members formed the party on 1 October 1993, but did not register with the Justice Ministry until 16 December 1994...
, chaired by prime-minister Almazbek Atambaev. He played an important role in consolidating democratic opposition to president Kurmanbek Bakiev.
On December 4, 2007 Edil Baisalov was removed by the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan from the candidate list of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan is a political party in Kyrgyzstan. Members formed the party on 1 October 1993, but did not register with the Justice Ministry until 16 December 1994...
and barred from participating in the early parliamentary elections. Many activists and lawyers claimed this decision to be politically motivated and illegal. Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan alleged that Baisalov had published the ballot on his blog and the General Prosecutor charged him with attempt to undermine integrity of elections.
Baisalov claimed that he was a victim of political vendetta
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
and left Kyrgyzstan on December 8, 2007 for Kazakstan and later reappeared in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
In Sweden he studied at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
. On April 9, 2010, following the overthrow of president Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a politician who served as the second President of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010...
, Baisalov returned to Kyrgyzstan and took a high position in the interim government, frequently appearing as spokesperson of the head of government.
Baisalov is married and has one daughter.
Quotes
- "We should cherish our sovereignty. Central Asia is not anyone’s back yard."
- "We came out to the streets to demand that the government stop merging with organized crime. We demand law and order."
External links
- Radio Free Europe biography (in Kyrgyz)
- 'Who is who' page on Akipress (in Russian)
- Baisalov's personal blog (in Russian)