Raid to arrest Kyrgyzstan’s former president on corruption charges fails as his supporters stand their ground in battle that left one special forces soldier dead and more than 40 others injured
- The raid at former president Almazbek Atambayev’s residence south of capital Bishkek began last night
- Atambayev supporters resisted troops and some barricaded themselves inside and took six hostages
- Government forces agreed to leave after the hostages were released and 45 people were taken to hospital
Published: 19:14 EDT, 7 August 2019 | Updated: 04:03 EDT, 8 August 2019
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A raid to arrest Kyrgyzstan’s former president on corruption charges failed after his supporters stood their ground in a battle that left one special forces soldier dead and more than 40 others injured
The raid at former president Almazbek Atambayev’s residence south of Bishkek, the Kyrgyzstani capital, began yesterday evening and continued into the pre-dawn hours.
A throng of Atambayev supporters resisted the raiders, while some barricaded themselves inside and took six servicemen as hostages.
The raid at former president Almazbek Atambayev’s residence south of Bishkek, the Kyrgyzstani capital, began yesterday evening and continued into the pre-dawn hours. His supporters (including the man on the left) forced special forces soldiers (right) to surrender
A throng of Atambayev supporters resisted the raiders, including by constructing barricades (like this one)
Police take security measures against Atambayev after the operation by Kyrgyz special forces to detain Atambayev at his rural residence
Atambayev, who was stripped of legal immunity after a parliamentary vote, at a meeting on June 27
Deputy Interior Minister Kursan Asanov said the decision to pull out was made after negotiations with Atambayev supporters, who agreed to release the six hostages by the morning if forces pulled back.
The Health Ministry said 45 people were taken to hospital, alongside a special forces member who was shot from inside the residence and died.
The raid raises concerns about political stability in Kyrgyzstan, which borders China and hosts a Russian military air base.
Local news reports said some people were wounded by weapons fired by special forces in the raid, including a journalist. The state security committee said only plastic bullets were fired.
A GKNB special forces member is assaulted by supporters of the former President Almazbek Atambayev guarding his house
Atambayev’s supporters cheer after they resist the raiders, with some having barricaded themselves inside and taken six servicemen as hostages
A member of the Kyrgyz special forces holds his hands up and surrenders to mark the end of the bloody raid
Supporters of Atambayev guard his house during an operation by state security forces to detain him
A large crowd of police officers gather outside the residence in Koy-Tash near capital Bishkek during the raid
One of Atambayev’s supporters points a gun during the raid through the night which saw 45 people end up in hospital
The raid raises concerns about political stability in Kyrgyzstan, which borders China and hosts a Russian military air base
Injured supporters of former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev guard his house
Gunmen supporting Atambayev inside his residence, where the raid began yesterday
The Health Ministry said 45 people were taken to hospital, alongside a special forces member who was shot from inside the residence and died
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament in June rescinded the immunity that Atambayev had been accorded as a former president, opening him to potential prosecution.
Since then, supporters have kept watch outside his residence in Koi-Tash, about 12 miles from Bishkek, expecting an attempt to arrest him.
He is accused of a range of crimes, including corruption and the expropriation of property.
Atambayev, who was in office from 2011 to 2017, has said the charges were concocted by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who was once his protege.
Atambayev is accused of a range of crimes, including corruption and the expropriation of property. Pictured are riot police outside his house
Atambayev, who was in office from 2011 to 2017, has said the charges were concocted by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who was once his protege
Supporters of Atambayev fight with special forces members outside his house in the village of Koi-Tash
Atambayev met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, suggesting that he enjoys Kremlin support. But Putin later said Russia was committed to working with Jeenbekov.
Kyrgyzstan, once hailed as an ‘island of democracy’ in post-Soviet Central Asia, has repeatedly been shaken by political upheavals.
Its first two presidents after independence were both driven from office by riots.
Atambayev’s supporters blockading a street with rocks as security forces approach
An injured man standing outside Atambayev’s house following yesterday’s raid
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