Kyrgyzstan’s former president arrested in second attempt

Former President Almazbek Atambayev being arrested (Kabar)

Bishkek: In their second attempt, Kyrgyzstan security forces were able to arrest former president Almazbek Atambayev despite cordons by his supporters.

“As a result of joint measures, law enforcement officials detained Almazbek Atambayev,” the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reported, cited by Kabar news agency.

“On Aug. 8, 2019, police officers together with the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic arrested Almazbek Atambayev as a result of measures taken to force the drive,” the statement said.

Atambayev will be referred to the relevant authorities for further investigative measures in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Interior Ministry said.

No victims were reported in the second attempt to arrest Atambayev, unlike the evening before when an officer, 46, was killed an others were injured.

Atambayev had been summoned three times by investigators in relation to an ongoing criminal probe. However, he reportedly ignored them, prompting the authorities to take action against him and try to arrest him on Wednesday at his home in the village of Koi-Tash where he has been holed up since June when the parliament lifted his immunity from prosecution afforded to former heads of state.

However, the attempt failed, causing death, injuries and humiliation, and President Sooronbai Jeenbekov told an emergency parliamentary session that Atambayev was no longer just a witness, but also a wanted man.

Jeenbekov and Atambayev were once strong allies, but disputes soon appeared, turning into a bitter standoff that has now reached a critical level.