In Kyrgyzstan, fallen officer awarded honor medal posthumously

President Jeenbekov with Colonel Niyazbeko’s family (Kabar)

Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov has presented a posthumous medal to honor Colonel Usenbek Niyazbekov, a senior security officer who was killed during an operation to arrest the country’s former leader.

Jeenbekov met with Niyazbekov’s mother Oktam Mamaeva, wife Nazira Bazarbayeva, brother Asanbek Niyazbekov, and son Timur Niyazbekov, national news agency KABAR reported, citing the president’s press service.

Colonel Niyazbekov died on August 7 during the special operation to detain former President Almazbek Atambayev

Offering his condolences to the family, Jeenbekov said Usenbek devoted his whole life to serving the homeland, ensuring the safety of citizens and the rule of law in the country.

He successfully participated in several special operations to eliminate terrorist groups and was awarded various departmental awards by the national security agencies, he added.

The death of Usenbek Niyazbekov is a great loss not only for his family and loved ones, but also for the state, Jeenbekov said as he presented the Erdik medal to Niyazbekov’s family.

The posthumous medal presented to Colonel Niyazbeko- (Kabar)

According to KABAR, the president signed the decree to award the medal to Niyazbekov on August 27 on the eve of Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan for personal courage shown in the performance of military duty.

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.