Kyrgyz police say they have arrested the suspected killer of parliamentary deputy

Kyrgyz police arrest suspected killer of lawmaker

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Police say they arrested a man suspected of killing a lawmaker in Kyrgyzstan.

Pro-presidential party lawmaker Sanzharbek Kadyraliyev died after being shot in the neck on April 14 outside his home in the capital, Bishkek.

The Interior Ministry says suspect Altynbek Itibayev has been arrested for allegedly killing the deputy over a business dispute. Police said Thursday they are searching for other suspects in the case.

Kadyraliyev was the fourth parliamentarian killed since street protests drove the Central Asian nation’s longtime leader Askar Akayev from power in March 2005.

Political tension has mounted ahead of July 23 elections in which Akayev’s successor Kurmanbek Bakiyev is seeking a second term.