ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia: Mongolian opposition politician from the Democratic Party (DP) was beaten to death on Saturday, according to a statement from his party on Sunday. The incident occurred just weeks before the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 28.
The victim, identified as B. Bayanmunkh in local media and as “BB” by his party, was a governor of Sant Sum in central Mongolia. The Democratic Party expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing him as “a star of democracy.”
The party’s statement detailed that Bayanmunkh was killed around 10:00 pm during a meeting involving five members of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). The DP did not provide further details on the circumstances of the attack but noted it occurred in the first round of the parliamentary elections.
Mongolia, a vast country three times the size of France but with a population of just 3.5 million, rarely sees violence during election campaigns. The nation, sandwiched between China and Russia, is known for its democratic practices, with a diverse media landscape and robust political debate.
However, the Democratic Party’s statement highlighted concerns about declining rule of law and government efforts to suppress criticism, particularly regarding corruption. “This election is going on under all possible pressures, such as heavy government pressure and spying,” the DP said.
The tragic incident underscores the tense political climate in Mongolia as the country approaches its parliamentary elections. The DP’s accusations of government pressure and declining legal standards add to the charged atmosphere surrounding the upcoming vote.
