Omurbek Tekebeyev was arrested Wednesday after arriving in Poland from Turkey as part of a Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation. Tekebayev, who was traveling on a diplomatic passport, is alleged to have been carrying a Russian wooden matryoshka doll containing heroin in his baggage.
Melis Eshimkanov, a member of parliament in the former Soviet Central Asian republic, said his colleagues were preparing to issue a statement on the matter. He also said MPs were holding consultations with police and customs services in Kyrgyzstan.
The ex-speaker "is in custody and cannot be contacted," Eshimkanov said.
Tekebayev announced his resignation as speaker in February 2006 after a political conflict with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who came to power following a popular uprising last March that toppled long-time ruler Askar Akayev. Tekebayev was accused of making "non-parliamentary remarks" about the president.
Tekebayev, who has retained a seat in parliament, leads an opposition movement comprising about 20 political parties and nongovernmental organizations. They resumed protests this spring urging the government to carry out reforms and fight corruption in the impoverished state.
