The Former Minister of Education, Culture and Science, MP Yo.Otgonbayar, was notified about the arrest of his wife during a talk on the news program of the Mongolian National Broadcaster on June 6th.

O.Erdenesolongo, the former Education Minister`s wife,  was arrested over possible money laundering as large sums of money were revealed in her bank accounts.

-What have you heard about the arrest of your wife?

-I found out the same as everyone else and heard from the media. I included everything of mine and my family bank accounts properly in the official`s income and assets declaration. We have in total over 300 million MNT of savings. It is all clear in our savings book. But I do not understand why it resulted in an arrest.

-It was reported that 323 US dollars and 13.9 billion MNT was withdrawn from your wife`s bank accounts over the past four years. What business does she run?

-My wife runs food and travel related business. It is clear that such business makes small earning. 300 million US dollars is the worth of the state budget of Mongolia in 2000.

It is unacceptable that such an amount of money can be withdrawn in an individual`s bank account. It is pity if someone confuses the amount for US dollar instead of MNT. My wife is a citizen of Mongolia. But if there is a miscalculation over the numbers it is unforgiveable to arrest someone.

-First your wife is connected to the case. But there is also speculation that the case might have been engaged during the period of your term as Minister?

-I am ready to be investigated. I would want an investigation according to law if there is any fault related to my work during my term as Minister.

There have been questionings for the allegation of the misuse of the state budget for a year. If I was in fault I would have been arrested or detained. My wife has seen neither 300 million US dollars nor a million US dollars.

-It is said that you have filed a request to see your wife. Have you received a reply?

-I arrived last night from the countryside. Today I have officially filed a request to see my wife.  Currently there has been no reply. I have filed a lawsuit in the Courts too. The legislative officers violated the law by making an illegal arrest. The investigation must be conducted according to the law.

-You say that the legislature violated law?

-There must a reason behind arresting someone as a suspect. The legislature cheated my wife in order to bring her in for questioning. An arrest is conducted in the case of a suspect`s attempt to escape or cause a disturbance during the investigation.

But the legislature arrested and detained my wife without checking the saving books.