Mongolia protesters denounce govt corruption for fifth day

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Mongolia protesters denounce govt corruption for fifth day

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — Mongolian protesters gathered in the capital in temperatures well below freezing on Thursday to denounce government corruption for a fifth day, even after the arrests of eight officials suspected of so-called coal theft.

Thousands of people have climbed into Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar since Sunday, urging the government to name those responsible for 385,000 tons of coal unaccounted for between 2013 and 2019.

The government said in October it had discovered the missing coal after comparing Mongolian export data with import data reported by China, its main buyer.

The findings have sparked further resentment over surging living costs and inequality that had already been set off by protests earlier this year.

In the first 10 months of this year, coal generated more than half of Mongolia's export revenue, according to central bank data.

Come out, come out! On Thursday, people shouted at the government building in Sukhbaatar Square. On Monday, protesters tried to storm the building, but the demonstrations have since been peaceful.

Some people carried banners saying Name the thieves and What did you do with taxpayers money? The government said on Wednesday that it would investigate and punish coal thieves and named 10 officials under investigation.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai has set up a six-month investigation into the state-owned company Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, which holds mining licenses to the Tavantolgoi coal deposit, the largest in the country.

Nyambaatar Khishgee, the minister of justice and internal affairs, told protesters that the former director of the company, Gankhuyag Battulga, and seven others have been arrested.

But the moves haven't done much to calm the anger. Some people called for politician resignations on Thursday.

People who steals public funds should be held accountable just as someone who commits a crime is held accountable. Bolormaa Bayarmagnai, 24, who joined the protest on Thursday, said that they would like to use that money efficiently for development in our country.

During the spring demonstrations, promises were made. She said that she doesn't see any implementation from there.

The authorities first began investigating coal theft nine years ago, said Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, a former member of Parliament and founder of the Civic Unity Party.

She said people are demanding to announce the results of the investigations.

A public hearing on the coal theft will be held on December 21.