The Kyrgyz Justice Ministry drafted a law under whose terms a citizen of Kyrgyzstan whose life or property are in jeopardy may shoot the criminal in self-defense and be assured of his or her immunity even though the assailant died.

"The very notion of "exceeding limits of necessary defense" as it was interfered with victim's ability to defend themselves," Justice Minister Marat Kaiypov announced. Authors of the draft law are convinced that the knowledge that the would-be victim will defend him- or herself now is going to make criminals think twice.

There is no saying how the parliament will react to the idea. Some lawmakers fear unpredictable consequences in the crime-ridden country where the population en masse is judicially illiterate.

The parliament of Kyrgyzstan has already turned down a draft law suggested by the Justice Ministry. The latter suggested legalization of polygamy about a month ago but the Jogorku Kenesh voted the idea down.