At the time of his death, the Mongolian government was in a deadlock. For the past four months, the president and Parliament had been attempting to appoint a new prime minister. It had been over three months since the last prime minister, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdor, had been forced to resign. Four potential candidates had already been advanced since Elbegdorj's July resignation, but none had garnered support from both the Parliament and the president.
The Parliament was controlled by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC). The president belonged to the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), a group of (former) communists. It seemed that Zorig, despite his efforts to overthrow communism in 1990, was well-like by members of both parties. Word surfaced at the beginning of October that Zorig was going to be the next nominee for the prime minister opening. Moreover, despite his DUC affiliation, he had apparently secure the president's approval.
These rumors surfaced on October 2. Later that night, Zorig was murdered.
Neither parties will address whether the crime was politically motivated.
Nobody has been arrested in the stabbing.
| 1990 | Zorig leads a peaceful democratic revolution, effectively ending 70 years of Stalinist/communist rule in Mongolia. |
| June 1996 | The Democratic Union Coalition takes power, marking Mongolia's departure from communism. |
| July 24, 1998 | Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj resigns from office, along with his entire cabinet. The government had allegedly sold off a bankrupt state bank to cover up corrupt dealings. |
| October 2, 1998 | Zorig is stabbed and axed to death in his apartment. |
| October 6, 1998 | The Zorig Foundation is established. Sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy, the organization's goals include promoting democracy, human rights and social justice. |
| December 9, 1998 | Parliament approves the nomination of a new prime minister, Janlaviin Narantsatsralt, after five months of deadlock. |
| March 12, 1999 | Police detain Zorig's wife, Bulgan, for questioning. |
| July 30, 1999 | Parliament elects Rinchinnyamiin Amarjargal to be the new prime minister. |
| March 15, 2000 | Zorig's followers hold the first meeting of the Mongolian Civil Courage Party. |
| March 22, 2000 | The current group of investigators in the Zorig murder case bring criminal charges against the old group of investigators, claiming that the old group had not properly fulfilled their duties. |
Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia
Ulan Bator, Mongolia (all the same
place)
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), a coalition of the National Democratic Party (MNDP) and the Social Democratic Party (MSDP).
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), a communist party in power from the 1920's until 1996.
Nambaryn Enkhbayar, head of the MPRP.
Natsagiin Bagabandi, Mongolia's president, MPRP member. Also "Natsagyin Bagabandi."
Janlaviin Narantsatsralt, the prime minister of Mongolia, appointed two months after Zorig's death.
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the last prime minister in office before Zorig was killed. Also "Natsagiin Elbegdorj"