In room 304 of Ulan Bator’s -Hospital No 2, Nambaryn Enkhbayar, former president of -Mongolia, lies hooked to a drip. Wearing white hospital-issue pyjamas and still wan after a 10-day hunger strike that doctors say nearly killed him, one of the country’s most influential politicians is awaiting trial on five counts of corruption.
Mr Enkhbayar, whose trial is expected to begin today, insists the charges are fabricated by opponents who want him sidelined during parliamentary elections he planned to contest this month.
Mr Enkhbayar lost the presidency in 2009 to Tsakhia Elbegdorj, a one-time ally and another leading protagonist of post-Soviet Mongolian politics.