Kyrgyzstan: Prosecutors Seek 11-Year Sentence for Former President Almazbek Atambayev
Photo: President.kg
A court in Bishkek is expected to issue a verdict in the case against former President Almazbek Atambayev, Orda.kz reports, citing 24.kg.
State prosecutors have requested that Atambayev be sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the August 7–8, 2019 unrest in the village of Koi-Tash.
For the other defendants in the case, prosecutors are seeking 10-year prison terms.
Background
Koi-Tash, a village near Bishkek, was the location of Atambayev’s residence. In August 2019, the area became the site of a confrontation between his supporters and special forces.
After stepping down from office in 2017, Atambayev transferred power to his successor, Sooronbay Jeenbekov.
Initially cooperative, their relationship deteriorated sharply. Atambayev publicly criticized Jeenbekov and his administration, accusing them of enabling the return of corrupt political groups.
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament revoked Atambayev’s ex-president status in 2019, which removed his legal immunity.
This development led to the opening of several criminal cases against him. Authorities began preparing to detain Atambayev.
On August 7, 2019, special forces from the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) attempted to detain him at his Koi-Tash residence. The operation failed amid strong resistance from Atambayev’s supporters.
The following day, a second attempt involved a larger contingent of police and military personnel. Following negotiations, Atambayev surrendered and was taken into custody in Bishkek.
He was later charged with organizing mass unrest and using violence against law enforcement officers.
Additional charges followed, including corruption and facilitating the release of criminal figure Aziz Batukayev. Atambayev has been acquitted on some charges, while other cases remain under judicial review.
The former President maintains that he is innocent and insists the charges against him are politically motivated.
Original Author: Olga Ibraeva
Latest news
- Kazakhstan’s Credit Rating Upgraded for First Time in a Decade
- While Thousands Lost Power, KEGOC Executives Received Nearly Half a Billion Tenge
- Changi Airport Group May Help Build Astana’s New Airport
- US Again Extends Deadline for Lukoil to Sell Its Assets in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Extradites Business Manager From Russia in 290 Million Tenge Tax Case
- Released Amur Tiger Successfully Hunts in Kazakhstan’s Wild
- Kazakhstan Moves to Develop Critical Minerals as Global Competition Intensifies
- Another Performance by Kazakh Stand-Up Comedian Called Off
- Uzbekistan Begins Preparations for Second Nuclear Power Plant
- Backpack Links Glacier Remains to Man Missing for 19 Years
- 650-Hectare Wildfire Contained in Karaganda Region
- Unusual Wildlife Encounter Captured in Altyn-Emel
- Retired Border Service Dog Sold for $2 at Kazakhstan Auction
- Will Kazakhstan Have Enough Coal This Winter?
- Belarusian Hikers Find Body on Glacier Near Almaty
- Kazakhstan Investigates Spending on 242 Million Tenge Educational Game
- Kazakhstan Makes Caspian Oil Companies Pay for Counterterrorism Deployments
- Kazakhstan Faces Shortage of 245,000 School Places
- Waste Dumping Reported Near Yurt Camps at Lake Zaisan
- Kazakh Oil Rerouted to Novorossiysk as Russia Frees Baltic Export Capacity
