The European Union on Friday urged authorities in Mongolia to ensure that the case of former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who is accused of corruption, is treated fairly with full respect to democratic principles.
"We have been closely following the developments in the case of the former President of Mongolia, Nambaryn Enkhbayar. We trust that this case will be treated transparently and with full respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights," said a statement issued by the office of EU foreign policy chief on Friday.
In the statement, the European bloc reiterated its "full support to the strengthening of democratic processes in Mongolia," and noted that Mongolia is a new and vibrant democracy that shares many values with the European Union.
Enkhbayar, who was Mongolia's president from 2005 to 2009, was arrested on April 13 for failing to appear for questioning on charges dealing with instances of corruption. Enkhbayar was released on bail last month after he went on a hunger strike to protest against his detention. Nevertheless, charges against him have not been withdrawn.
The charges against Enkhbayar reportedly include stealing a donation of television equipment worth about $113,000 meant to go to a Buddhist monastery in 2000 and not paying duties to ship eight volumes of a book he authored from South Korea to Mongolia.
In a statement released on May 12, London-based human rights group Amnesty International said Enkhbayar's detention "appears to be arbitrary" and breaches human rights standards.
Further, Enkhbayar and his family insist that the arrest was part of an attempt by the government to prevent him from attempting a political comeback after losing the May 2009 elections to current President Elbegdorj Tsakhia.
Incidentally, Enkhbayar's arrest came less than 2 months before the upcoming parliamentary elections in June. Enkhbayar's newly formed Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) is contesting in the polls in which the former president has proclaimed himself a candidate.
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