Kyrgyzstan raises Cain over radioactive coal from Kazakhstan

Bishkek heat power plant received 8 thousand tons of coal from Kazakhstan with radiation level 2-8 times exceeding the standards, Tengrinews.kz reports citing Kyrgyzstan deputy Raikan Tologonov as saying at the meeting of Ata Meken Parliamentary fraction. According to Tologonov, around 130 wagons of coal were delivered to the plant. The scandal over radioactive coal emerged in Kyrgyzstan a week ago. Back then the representatives of Power Stations company that supplies coal to the power plant, stated that the coal complied with all radioactivity standards. On October 26 the “radioactive” scandal appeared again. Broad statements were made in the Parliament. Deputy Tologonov said that “import of radioactive coal to Bishkek power plant from Kazakhstan is lobbied by assistant speaker of the parliament Akhmatbek Keldibekov”. “As per my information, speaker Keldibekov gave instructions to Power Stations company to buy this coal from Kulandy mine in Kazakhstan. He could have said that this coal is radioactive and stop the import. But it was imported nevertheless,” Deputy Tologonov said. Meanwhile, press-secretary of the Parliament's speaker Assel Aliyeva did not confirm the information on Akhmatbek Keldibekov instructing to buy radioactive coal for Bishkek power plant. “The statement of deputy Tologonov is not correct. Akhmatbek Keldibekov did not call the management of Power Stations company and did not give any instructions. This company is controlled by the government,” Aliyeva said. “Furthermore, recently the speaker talked about buying only local coal for Bishkek power plant.” Ata Meken fraction instructed Kyrgyzstan General prosecution, to check the information on involvement of speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov, personnel of the Ministry of Energy and State Customs Service in import of the 8 thousand tons of radioactive coal to Bishkek heat power plant from Kulandy field. Meanwhile, Power Stations company has already started expert inspection of coal imported from Kazakhstan. The results will be announced on November 7.