Askar Akayev

Askar Akayevich Akayev (born November 10, 1944) is the president of Kyrgyzstan. He was a non-political scientist and engineer until 1990, when he became president. He was re-elected in 1991, 1995 and 2000. Initially seen as a liberal, democratic leader he has increasingly shown authoritarian tendencies and in late 2002 faced mass protests calling for his resignation. He has promised to step down from office when his current term expires in 2005, and was granted lifelong immunity from prosecution by the lower house of parliament in 2003.