Bakiyev offers conditional resignation

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 13 (UPI) -- Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was ousted from the Kyrgyz presidency last week, offered to resign Tuesday in exchange for guarantees of safety for him and his family.

"I will go into retirement if security is guaranteed for me and my relatives," Bakiyev told reporters Tuesday.

Bakiyev fled the capital Bishkek after riots toppled his government Wednesday and is now holed up in Jalal-Abad, in the south of Kyrgyzstan, The New York Times reported.

The interim government revoked his immunity and has threatened to arrest him and return him to Bishkek to be tried for his role in last week's violence. Witnesses say Bakiyev's presidential guards fired on unarmed protesters who were demonstrating against government corruption, killing more than 80 people.

Keneshbek Dyushebayev, the acting head of Kyrgyzstan's security service, said the interim government was "prepared to guarantee security for him and his family."

However, it is unlikely Bakiyev will avoid standing trial.

"We do not promise Bakiyev or anybody that if he gives up power, there will not be charges brought against him. … Bakiyev's crimes are simply beyond measure," said Topchybek Turgunaliyev, a member of the interim government.