Former Kyrgyz President Atambaev Charged with Murder

Former President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev. Photo: Sputnik

"Atambaev is suspected of using violence against government officials, organizing riots and conspiring to organize murders," Beishekeyev said.

According to him, criminal cases are being investigated for the events of August 7-8 in the villages of Koy-Tash and Bishkek under the provisions of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan "Mass riots", "Hooliganism", "Murder", "Attempted murder", "Threatening or violence against government officials" and "Hostage taking" of the Kyrgyzstan Criminal Code. According to these provisions of Kyrgyzstan's law, Atambaev could face life imprisonment.

On August 7, Kyrgyzstan's special services began an operation to arrest former President Almazbek Atambaev at his residence in the village of Koy-Tash, 20 km from the capital.
They used special equipment against the supporters of the former leader of the country. Atambaev's supporters returned fire. The former president was not arrested at that time.

Six special forces soldiers were taken prisoner by Atambaev's supporters. The next day, clashes between supporters and security forces continued and lasted until morning, despite the fact that the former president himself surrendered to the security forces. As a result of the special forces raid, according to the Ministry of Health, 136 people were injured. One special forces soldier died.

Mr Atambaev transferred power to his successor and closest ally Sooronbay Jeenbekov in 2017.

However, criminal proceedings were soon instituted against members of the former president's group. Atambaev himself was stripped of his former presidential status and suspected of a number of crimes.

The former head of state has repeatedly stated that all the charges against his associates are political in nature.