Former Kyrgyz prime minister Igor Chudinov was arrested on charges of abusing power during his 2007-2009 tenure, Deputy Prime Minister Azimbek Beknazarov said Wednesday.

Beknazarov told a press conference that Chudinov earlier returned to Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan and surrendered himself to the authorities Tuesday.

Chudinov is in the custody of Kyrgyzstan's national security bureau, he added.

Beknazarov said Chudinov came back to the country when an anti-government protest was taking place in Bishkek one week ago.

He said it was unclear whether the timing was a coincidence, adding Chudinov would be released from the prison and put under house arrest if he was found not to have involved in the protest.

In May, General Prosecutor's Office said it had filed criminal charges against Chudinov for squandering funds and property, and abusing power when he served as director-general of Kyrgyz state-owned gas company Kyrgyzgaz and prime minister.