Mongolia opposition candidate beaten to death during election campaign

A Mongolian opposition candidate was beaten to death, authorities said on Sunday, ahead of parliamentary elections expected this month.

The man was killed on Saturday, police said, adding that the circumstances surrounding the attack have yet to be clarified.

Local media named the man as B Bayanmunkh, while a statement by his party identified him as “BB”.

The DP said it was saddened that “a star of democracy … has lost his life at the hands of others”.

“At around 10pm … B was killed by others during a meeting of five members of the MPP in the first round of parliamentary elections,” a party statement read, referring to the acronym of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party.

01:18

Gas truck explosion kills 6 in Mongolia

Mongolia, which is three times the size of France but has a population of 3.5 million, is expected to hold parliamentary elections on June 28.

But critics say the country is experiencing a declining rule of law and a government seeking to curb criticism of its record on corruption.

“This election is going on under all possible pressures, such as heavy government pressure and spying,” the DP statement added.