ULAN BATOR, June 20 (NNN-MONGOLIAWEB) – The Mongolian authorities have recently detained six parliamentary candidates, amid the ongoing campaign, for the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to local reports.
Four of the detained politicians are candidates from the country’s opposition Democratic Party, and the remaining two are independent candidates.
Among the arrestees are former Finance Minister, Sangajav Bayartsogt, and Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan, chairman of the Business Council of Mongolia, who are allegedly implicated in a large mining deal, involving foreign investment.
The sudden decision to detain the parliamentary candidates, on the last few days before the legal deadline for the election campaign, is an “illegal act” and “politically motivated,” said attorneys of the candidates and some Mongolian netizens.
Mongolia is expected to hold its general elections on Wednesday.
The country’s parliament, the State Great Khural, is unicameral, consisting of 76 lawmakers serving a four-year term.– NNN-MONGOLIAWEB
