Remembrance but no resolution of Zorig's Murder

Remembrance but no resolution of Zorig's Murder

Every October 2, Mongolians remember the life of S.Zorig, a leader of the nation's democratic revolution. 2008 marks the tenth anniversary of his death; he was assassinated in his apartment on October 2, 1998.

Zorig's sister—Member of Parliament S.Oyun, who now leads the Civil Will Party-said that the Zorig Foundation, his family and his friends will lay wreaths and light lamps in remembrance of her brother. Many people honor Zorig for his role in establishing a multiparty system in Mongolia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In June 1990, he was elected into the People's Great Khural. He was reelected to Parliament in 1992 and 1996, and he briefly served as Mongolia's Minister of Infrastructure in 1998.

A statue commemorating the political leader stands in Ulaanbaatar across from the Central Post Office. Mystery surrounds Zorig's death as his killers and their motivations remain unknown. Oyun expressed her frustration that, a decade after his death, police seem no closer to solving the case than when they began their investigation. Unsubstantiated rumors about improper police procedures at the crime scene and a lost police report raise further questions about the high-profile investigation, but these remain unanswered.

German and Japanese officials have teamed up with Mongolian authorities in the past to look into the murder, but their efforts have afforded little tangible progress. Mongolia's CIA and General Police worked together on the case in the past, but now are separately attempting to solve the crime. Aside from those details however, information about the secret investigation remains scarce.

THE UB POST