Former Mongolian President Jailed for Four Years
Former Mongolian president Nambar Enkhbayar will have to serve four years in jail and have 25 million tugrik (18,660 U.S. dollars) worth property confiscated after being found guilty of corruption in Ulan Bator Thursday.
Sukhbaatar district court sentenced Enkhbayar to seven years' jail, three of which will be pardoned, after a three-day trial. The court also awarded Gandan Buddhist monastery 54 million tugriks (40,300 U.S. dollars) as compensation for damage and revenues of TV9 which Enkhbayar owns will be confiscated.
Four others, including former government officials and a businessman, were also found guilty of corruption and abuse of power.
At the closing of the trial, Enkhbayar said, "The outcome of this trial will show if Mongolia is a truly democratic country or not. State prosecutors twisted actual facts in order to prosecute me for political reasons. They represent old times. I'm not afraid of anyone. I will fight for justice and a new Mongolia."
Enkhbayar's trial was broadcast live on some TV channels including his own TV9 and is drawing much attention in Mongolia. Members of his party protested the ruling of the court and wrestled with policemen.
His defense lawyers said Enkhbayar should be acquitted because he has done much good for Mongolia.
The defense lawyers can appeal the court decision within 14 days.
The court ruling may change political landscape in Mongolia. Enkhbayar's Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP was poised to join the coalition government with Democratic Party of Mongolia. MPRP leadership said they will consider court ruling and decide whether to join the coalition government.
S.Narangerel, chief defense lawyer of Enkhbayar said "decision of the trial shows that there is no independent court in Mongolia. This is repetition of 1937 repression. This is a politically motivated decision. This court decision is aimed to isolate Enkhbayar from political life of Mongolia and remove a major political rival."
Enkhbayar was arrested on April 12 on charges of involving in the illegal privatization of a hotel and a publishing house, and using TV equipments donated to a Mongolian Buddhist organization to establish his own television station TV9.
However, supporters said Enkhbayar, who served as president of Mongolia from 2005 to 2009, was framed by incumbent President Tsakhia Elbegdorj for political reasons.
Enkhbayar lost to Elbegdorj by a small margin in 2009 presidential elections. He first conceded but later rejected the election results, claiming irregularities.
Enkhbayar is also chairman of MPRP, a splinter party from former ruling Mongolian People's Party. MPRP and Mongolian National Democratic Party formed Justice Coalition, which has 11 seats in the country's 76-member parliament.
Sukhbaatar district court sentenced Enkhbayar to seven years' jail, three of which will be pardoned, after a three-day trial. The court also awarded Gandan Buddhist monastery 54 million tugriks (40,300 U.S. dollars) as compensation for damage and revenues of TV9 which Enkhbayar owns will be confiscated.
Four others, including former government officials and a businessman, were also found guilty of corruption and abuse of power.
At the closing of the trial, Enkhbayar said, "The outcome of this trial will show if Mongolia is a truly democratic country or not. State prosecutors twisted actual facts in order to prosecute me for political reasons. They represent old times. I'm not afraid of anyone. I will fight for justice and a new Mongolia."
Enkhbayar's trial was broadcast live on some TV channels including his own TV9 and is drawing much attention in Mongolia. Members of his party protested the ruling of the court and wrestled with policemen.
His defense lawyers said Enkhbayar should be acquitted because he has done much good for Mongolia.
The defense lawyers can appeal the court decision within 14 days.
The court ruling may change political landscape in Mongolia. Enkhbayar's Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP was poised to join the coalition government with Democratic Party of Mongolia. MPRP leadership said they will consider court ruling and decide whether to join the coalition government.
S.Narangerel, chief defense lawyer of Enkhbayar said "decision of the trial shows that there is no independent court in Mongolia. This is repetition of 1937 repression. This is a politically motivated decision. This court decision is aimed to isolate Enkhbayar from political life of Mongolia and remove a major political rival."
Enkhbayar was arrested on April 12 on charges of involving in the illegal privatization of a hotel and a publishing house, and using TV equipments donated to a Mongolian Buddhist organization to establish his own television station TV9.
However, supporters said Enkhbayar, who served as president of Mongolia from 2005 to 2009, was framed by incumbent President Tsakhia Elbegdorj for political reasons.
Enkhbayar lost to Elbegdorj by a small margin in 2009 presidential elections. He first conceded but later rejected the election results, claiming irregularities.
Enkhbayar is also chairman of MPRP, a splinter party from former ruling Mongolian People's Party. MPRP and Mongolian National Democratic Party formed Justice Coalition, which has 11 seats in the country's 76-member parliament.
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