Kyrgyz radioactive coal culprits face charges

Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan say seven people are facing charges over the import of contaminated radioactive coal from neighboring Kazakhstan.

General Prosecutor's office spokeswoman Aida Salyanova said Tuesday that health and customs officers allowed the coal to be sent to schools, an orphanage and an old people's home.

The case has caused a furor in the former Soviet Central Asian nation with rival politicians accusing each another of benefiting financially from the deal.

Energy minister Askarbek Shadiyev said the former parliament speaker's involvement in the acquisition of coal supplies ensured the tainted fuel was bought.

Government scientists have said that although the background radiation emitted by the coal is much higher than average, it is not lethal.

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