Almost two decades have passed since the murder of the prominent politician S.Zorig, who was one of the architects of Mongolia’s peaceful transition to democracy. Many suspect that this was a political assassination and the identity of the instigator of the crime has been kept secret. The investigation and, more recently, court proceedings in which three people were charged, has all been characterised by the utmost secrecy. Is this about to change?

The Mongolian Cabinet has now approved the declassification of some materials from the investigation of the S.Zorig murder case. Earlier today (1 December), Ts.Nyamdorj, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs announced that a total of 14926 classified materials are to be made public.

Former Member of Parliament and then-acting Minister of Infrastructure Development S.Zorig was assassinated on 2 October 1998. Ts.Amgalanbaatar, T.Chimegee and O.Sodnomdarjaa have been sentenced to between 24 and 25 years of imprisonment for violent assault motivated by greed. However, the mastermind behind the murder has still not been found. The trials and court proceedings have been held behind closed doors.