Key Witness Testifies in Ex-Mongolian President's Trial
A local court heard testimony from a key witness in the trial of former Mongolian president Nambar Enkhbayar on corruption charges Wednesday.
State prosecutors read testimony to Sukhbaatar district court from Demberel Choijamts, abbot of Gandan monastery, about the donation of television equipment at the center of one of the charges.
Enkhbayar is charged with illegally using the equipment to set up his own television station.
The abbot, who did not attend the hearing because he is attending the London Olympics with President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, said in his statement he visited Japan at the invitation of Japanese Buddhist organization Agon Shu, based in Japan’s Kyoto, with Enkhbayar in 2000.
“Before the trip, there was discussion with Agon Shu about setting up a TV station under the monastery. It was my understanding that the TV equipment donated by the Agon Shu was for Gandan monastery for Mongolian Buddhists,” the statement said.
“I don’t know what Enkhbayar talked about with the Japanese. Our monastery later received some money for ownership of the TV station set up by Enkhbayar and the money was spent on building Mongolian Buddhist temple in India,” he said.
However, S. Narangerel, one of Enkhbayar’s defense lawyers, said: “The Japanese Buddhist organization made a personal donation to Enkhbayar and Choijamts. Since the monastery was not able to pay the customs tax, another prominent Mongolian businessman paid all the due customs taxes and helped set up the TV station.”
Enkhbayar was arrested on April 12 on the television equipment-related charge, as well as charges of being involved in the illegal privatization of a hotel and a publishing house.
His trial has drawn much public attention in Mongolia and was broadcast live on some television channels.
Supporters of Enkhbayar, who was president from 2005 to 2009, say he has been framed by Elbegdorj for political reasons.
Enkhbayar narrowly lost to Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election. Enkhbayar initially conceded but later rejected the election results, claiming irregularities.
The trial is expected to continue Thursday.
Source : crienglish.com
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