Kyrgyzstan is on the brink of a full-blown political crisis following police attempts to arrest ex-President Almazbek Atambayev that left one policeman dead and more than 50 people injured. Atambayev detained yesterday in a second police attempt following violent clashes with his supporters.

The Central Asian country, which has seen two revolutions in less than two decades, has witnessed a standoff between ex-leader Atambayev and his protégé-turned-foe President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. The two men were once friends, and Atambayev backed Jeenbekov's candidacy in the 2017 vote. But they fell out just months after Jeenbekov's inauguration as Atambayev publicly criticized his successor.

Atambayev, who was in office from 2011 to 2017, accused President Jeenbekov of fabricating false criminal charges against him to stifle criticism. Atambayev was stripped of his immunity from prosecution in June. The 62-year-old has rejected the allegations and in turn accused the current authorities of an abuse of office. He urged his supporters to rally yesterday in the capital, Bishkek, to demand Jeenbekov's resignation.

Shopping malls and other businesses began shutting down Thursday ahead of the planned rallies, reflecting fears of widespread looting that accompanied earlier violence. Atambayev's supporters, however, changed course and headed back to his countryside residence instead of rallying in the capital, apparently fearing another attempt by the authorities to arrest him.

On Wednesday, the confrontation escalated when the security service announced an operation to seize Atambayev from his compound outside Bishkek, the capital of the Muslim-majority nation of six million people. Atambayev's supporters took six policemen as hostages, but released them yesterday. Jeenbekov condemned his predecessor yesterday after a law enforcement officer was killed. "Atambayev and his supporters put up armed resistance with the use of a firearm. They have gone far beyond the law," President Jeenbekov said, addressing an emergency session of parliament called to discuss the crisis. Atambayev said he fired several shots when police came to arrest him Wednesday, adding that he "tried not to hit people." Jeenbekov said Atambayev should face charges for firing at police.

The violence has raised the threat of a new round of turmoil in the ex-Soviet nation, which borders China and hosts a Russian military air base. Kyrgyzstan's first two presidents after independence were both driven from office by riots. The standoff has drawn in Russia, the country's Soviet-era ruler and traditional political patron, where hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz people work as migrant laborers. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with both Jeenbekov and Atambayev in Moscow in a bid to defuse the confrontation. </s> BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan’s former President Almazbek Atambayev surrendered to security forces at his compound outside the capital Bishkek on Thursday, a day after a commando was killed in a failed attempt to arrest him that led to violent clashes with his followers.

A video posted online by an Atambayev supporter showed several cars being driven out of the former president’s country house by security officials after what his party described as his surrender. One of Atambayev’s aides is visible inside one car saying it was headed to the interior ministry.

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said Atambayev, originally wanted for questioning as a witness in an investigation, was now wanted for a “grave crime” after the violent standoff the previous day.

The confrontation between Jeenbekov and his former patron and predecessor risks destabilizing the Central Asian nation which hosts a Russian military airbase and is a major center for gold mining.

During the previous day’s botched raid, one member of the security forces was killed and six others were captured by Atambayev’s followers, the authorities said.

Jeenbekov ordered unspecified “urgent measures” on Thursday to maintain the rule of law.

Atambayev, who helped Jeenbekov to power in 2017 but whose relationship with the president then soured, says corruption allegations against him are politically motivated.

Atambayev and his supporters initially announced plans on Thursday to rally in Bishkek and march toward the building which houses both parliament and the president’s office. But Atambayev did not show up and remained holed up in a village near Bishkek.

Local media reported sounds of gunfire and stun grenades going off at the site when security forces launched a second raid on Thursday.

A video posted by news website Kaktus.media showed Deputy Interior Minister Kursan Asanov, wearing a bulletproof vest, negotiating the terms of Atambayev’s surrender. Asanov can be heard offering to let Atambayev bring his bodyguards with him in a car out of the compound.

Atambayev’s lawyer, Sergei Slesarev, told Reuters his client was now in custody and his case would be investigated by police.

Parliament stripped Atambayev of immunity from prosecution in June, accusing him of corruption.

“Unfortunately, the authorities have not listened to my calls to act legally,” Atambayev said in a video address posted online.

Kyrgyzstan has been politically volatile: presidents were deposed by uprisings in 2005 and 2010. Atambayev, who took part in both revolts, helped to ensure a smooth succession and hoped to retain influence by installing then-ally Jeenbekov as successor in 2017. But within months, Jeenbekov purged Atambayev loyalists from the cabinet.

Late last month, Atambayev visited Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin expressed support for Jeenbekov in a statement made after the meeting.

Indicating it expected the situation to stabilize, the Kyrgyz government pressed ahead with plans to host a meeting of prime ministers from several ex-Soviet nations including Russia on Friday. Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin has already arrived in the resort town of Cholpon-Ata, it said. </s> The former President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev was remanded in custody by court until August 26. TASS said Friday the lawyer of the former head of the state Sergey Slesarev. Before that Atambaev was interrogated for six hours.

According to Slesareva, court decision to arrest was made in the building of the State Committee for national security (SCNS) of Kyrgyzstan, where he was invited by the judge of the Pervomaisky district of the capital of the country. “The judge ruled to arrest Atambayev at the time of the investigative activities”, – said the lawyer.

According to him, during the arrest of the former President has been violated a number of procedural rules. “There are no documents about the arrest of the defendant was not charged, he was given notice and immediately chose a measure of restraint”, – said the lawyer.

He also added that Atambaev accused of corruption.

The interior Ministry of Kyrgyzstan say that the situation in the country, where in the past two days clashes between police and supporters of former President Almazbek Atambayev, stable and controlled by law enforcement.

“The situation is fully under control of law enforcement agencies, during the night no attempt to destabilize it in the country were not taken”, – said the representative of the Ministry. According to him, after the crackdown on Thursday night in Bishkek, supporters of former head of state has not been a single case of serious disturbance of public order. Nevertheless, the police continue to “closely monitor” the developments in the Republic of events, said the interior Ministry.

The situation in the capital of Kyrgyzstan and its southern suburbs has escalated on 8 August after the violent arrest in the village of Koi Tash, Chui oblast of the former President. The operation began on Wednesday when commandos of the national security Committee made a first attempt of detention of a suspect of corruption and deprived of the inviolability of the state. Supporters of former head of state, who has repeatedly denied all allegations against him, resisted. The clashes died from gunshot wounds, one soldier of a special squad “alpha”.

According to the latest data, for medical assistance 98 people, including law enforcement officers. Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said that the President violated the Constitution, offered armed resistance to the security forces.

On Thursday, thousands of supporters of Atambaev went to the Central square of the capital Ala-Too, where they began to demand the resignation of President Sooronbay Zheenbekov. Arrived on the scene a few hundred special forces soldiers who are using non-lethal weapons, including stun grenades, first drove protesters from the square, and then from the Central part of the city.

Atambayev after the arrest was taken to the SCNS. According to the Kyrgyz media, his interrogation continued for at least six hours.

Informed Almazbek Atambayev was suspected of illicit enrichment and misappropriation of land, corruption in the modernization of the Bishkek TPP and involvement in the illegal release of Chechen kingpin Aziz batukaeva in 2013. In this case the ex-head of state called the charges nonsense, and three times refused to come for questioning. Atambayev also said that he has premium weapons and in the case of attempts to capture it will render armed resistance.

In late June, the Parliament deprived the state of immunity, which he had as a former President. A month later, the former head of state tried to enlist the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 24 July 2019 Atambayev flew from Kyrgyzstan to Russia on a private plane from the Russian air base in Kant. This decision, he explained that he feared detention and provocations. In Moscow he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting, Putin said that Kyrgyzstan needs political stability, therefore, “all people should unite around the current President and to help him in the development of the state.” </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption People began to scream and run as troops moved in

Kyrgyzstan's security forces have arrested former President Almazbek Atambayev after a botched raid on his property overnight resulted in the death of one officer.

Mr Atambayev reportedly surrendered and was taken to the capital, Bishkek.

It followed a standoff in which his supporters took six officers captive.

Current President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said Mr Atambayev, who was initially wanted for questioning as a witness, had committed a "grave crime".

The former leader had repeatedly refused police summonses to testify as a witness about alleged corruption and abuse of office.

Special forces officers attempted to raid his house late on Wednesday night, but his supporters took up arms in his defence. The six soldiers they captured were later released.

Shortly afterwards, gunfire and stun grenades were reported at the home in a second raid on the property, on the outskirts of the capital.

Mr Jeenbekov - Mr Atambayev's former ally and successor - said the ex-president had "grossly flouted" the law by "putting up severe armed resistance" to police.

"Yesterday we were summoning him as a witness, now we will summon him over a grave crime," he told a special parliamentary session on Thursday.

A police statement said Mr Atambayev - who ruled Kyrgyzstan from 2011 to 2017 - "will be delivered to the relevant authorities for further investigative measures".

What's the latest?

Special forces used an armoured vehicle to break through the gates of the compound in Koi Tash village outside the capital, and soldiers blocked roads leading to Mr Atambayev's residence, local media reported.

Reports from local journalists at the scene said Mr Atambayev had surrendered to officers. Two aides were thought to be with him.

Local news site 24.kg reports he was flown by helicopter to avoid supporters who were blocking the roads.

Politician Irina Karamushkina, an ally of Mr Atambayev's, told AFP his supporters were "ready to defend the former president to the end".

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Kyrgyzstan President Soronbai Jeenbekov (left) was the chosen successor of his former ally, Almazbek Atambayev (right)

The former president had planned a rally on Thursday, but cancelled it and called his supporters back to defend his residence.

What happened overnight?

The raid began late on Wednesday. According to Kyrgyzstan's national security committee (GKNB), special forces armed "only with rubber bullets" were undertaking a "special operation to detain" the former president.

As the troops moved in, the GKNB said, Mr Atambayev's supporters fired back with live ammunition.

But Mr Atambayev took responsibility for the shooting, saying only he had a gun.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Supporters of Mr Atambayev were in celebratory mood after driving special forces from his home

One officer was killed, while 80 people were injured and 53 hospitalised.

"A special forces officer was delivered [to hospital] in an extremely serious condition with a gunshot wound. Despite resuscitation attempts, he died," a health ministry statement said.

The head of the State Committee for National Security says at least 19 members of the security forces were injured, with six in a serious condition, 24.kg reports.

As night fell, roads leading to the compound were barricaded by Mr Atambayev's supporters while security forces regrouped nearby.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Supporters of Almazbek Atambayev guard his home

Witness Mirbek Aitikeyev, who posted footage of the raid on Facebook, told AFP news agency that some of those protecting Mr Atambayev had seized weapons from the special forces, who "retreated under the onslaught of the crowd".

Eyes watering from tear gas

By Aibek Abdylaev, BBC Kyrgyz, Koi-Tash

Even without being able to get close to the ex-president's house, the journalists behind the security cordons could smell the tear gas, our eyes occasionally watering.

Once the ex-president was arrested, police used stun grenades in an attempt to disperse hundreds, if not close to a thousand, of Mr Atambayev's supporters in the village of Koi-Tash.

Protesters had been burning tyres and throwing stones at the police as the convoy with the arrested politician drove away. Security forces have brought vehicles into the village to put out fires.

It is being reported that up to four security officers have suffered gunshot wounds and a civilian was affected by a stun grenade.

What's the context?

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian republic that became independent with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It is about two-thirds the size of the United Kingdom, but has a population of just six million - most of whom are Turkic-speaking Muslims.

The country remains relatively poor, with a GDP per capita on par with Cameroon or Kenya. Dissatisfaction with the government has meant a lack of political stability since independence - the first two post-Soviet presidents were deposed after waves of mass protests.

Kyrgyz Republic Capital: Bishkek Population 6 million

Area 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles)

Major languages Kyrgyz, Russian

Major religions Islam, Christianity

Life expectancy 67 years (men), 75 years (women)

Currency som Getty Images

Relations between Mr Atambayev and Mr Jeyenbekov soured after the transfer of power, and observers say Mr Jeyenbekov moved to sideline his predecessor politically last year by removing Atambayev loyalists from positions of power.

Parliament stripped Mr Atambayev of his immunity in June so that he could be sent a subpoena to appear as a witness - in a case involving the unlawful release of a Chechen crime boss in 2013. He has ignored three subpoenas from the interior ministry.

But he is also accused of multiple incidents of corruption - all of which he denies. He has ignored orders to surrender to police for questioning, characterising them as illegal. </s> Atambayev’s capture followed a day of stiff resistance by him and his supporters that initially forced police to retreat from his estate outside the capital of Bishkek.

After he refused to answer parliamentary subpoenas with regards to alleged corruption, police on Wednesday attempted to storm the mansion of Atambayev, who served as the president of Kyrgyzstan from December 2011 to November 2017. Atambayev has denied the accusations levied against him.

In video captured of the raid, 200 armed police forced their way past twice their number in unarmed Atambayev supporters in and around his walled compound in the town of Koy Tash, 12 miles outside of Bishkek, as smoke billows into the sky.

​Bullet holes litter the door frames of the ransacked mansion, and blood is splattered across wooden wall panels. Atambayev is later seen in police custody, walking toward police vehicles parked near the wrecked iron gate to the compound.

Over 80 people were injured and one police officer killed in the Wednesday battle in and around the mansion after Atambayev’s supporters rallied to defend him, Sputnik reported. Atambayev admitted to firing some rounds at police himself.

President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who succeeded Atambayev in 2017, accused his predecessor on Thursday of violating Kyrgyzstan’s constitution by resisting arrest. </s> Thursday, August 8, the former President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev surrendered to the authorities. This happened after the third day of the storming of his house taken by the security forces. As already reported “FACTS”, operation on detention of the former President, began the evening of August 7 in the village of Koy-Tash near Bishkek. In total, injuring more than 80 people.

According 24. kg, Atambayev decided to surrender. The commandos put him in the car. With him were representatives of the Social democratic party of Kyrgyzstan Kunduz Golubev and Farid Niyazov. Supporters of the former President attempted not to miss the car with him. Again shots rang out.

We read in the Telegram channel, Facebook and Twitter </s> BISHKEK (REUTERS) - Kyrgyz security forces detained former president Almazbek Atambayev on Thursday (Aug 8), Russia's Interfax news agency reported, a day after a failed attempt to arrest him led to at least one death in violent clashes with his followers.

Atambayev, who was initially wanted for questioning as a witness in an investigation, was taken to the interior ministry's investigative unit. Some Kyrgyz media reports suggested he had given himself up.

The stand-off between Atambayev and his successor and former protege President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, risks destabilising the Central Asian nation which hosts a Russian military airbase and is a major centre for gold mining.

During the previous day's botched raid, one member of the security forces was killed and six others were captured by Atambayev's followers, the authorities say.

President Jeenbekov ordered unspecified "urgent measures" on Thursday to maintain the rule of law. He told parliament that Atambayev, previously wanted as a witness, was now wanted for "a grave crime".

Atambayev, who helped Jeenbekov to power in 2017 but whose relationship with the president then soured, says corruption allegations against him are politically motivated.

Atambayev and his supporters initially announced plans on Thursday to rally in Bishkek and march towards the building which houses both parliament and the president's office.

But Atambayev did not show up and remained holed up in a village near Bishkek, and his supporters abruptly called off the rally. One of its organisers told about 200 people who had already gathered that they would instead help guard his house against a potential second raid.

"Yesterday. we were summoning him as a witness, now we will summon him over a grave crime," Jeenbekov told parliament.

Parliament accused Atambayev of corruption and stripped him of immunity from prosecution in June.

"Unfortunately, the authorities have not listened to my calls to act legally," Atambayev said in a video address posted online.

Kyrgyzstan has been politically volatile: presidents were deposed by uprisings in 2005 and 2010. Atambayev, who took part in both revolts, helped to ensure a smooth succession and hoped to retain influence by installing then-ally Jeenbekov as successor in 2017.

But within months, Jeenbekov purged Atambayev loyalists from the Cabinet.

Late last month, Atambayev visited Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin expressed support for Jeenbekov in a statement made after the meeting. </s> The special forces arrived at the house of the former President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, said on Wednesday “Interfax” the official representative founded by the former head of state Social democratic party (SDPK) Kunduz Joldubaeva.

Kyrgyz news Agency “AKIpress” reports that the building, according to preliminary data, the storming forces. Heard the shots. According to preliminary data, about ten people were injured during special operation on detention of the former President. TASS said Wednesday at the headquarters of the former head of state. Among the victims are a journalist.

As stated by the representative of the headquarters of the former President, “a few commandos crept close to the house Atambaev, where shots are heard”. According to him, the ex-President’s supporters are still trying to resist, arrived in the village of Koy-Tash for the detention of Atambayev’s staff spetspodrazdeleniya.

Then the headquarters of the ex-President said that he was detained by security forces. “Special forces soldiers detained Atambayev and took him away in an unknown direction,” – said the representative of the headquarters. At the same time, claimed the source, inside the house Atambayev continued shooting.

Kyrgyz news Agency “24kg” reports that during the assault was wounded the journalist from among its employees. “Journalist Agency allegedly wounded with a rubber bullet, it grazed the leg of a reporter on a tangent, her life threatens nothing” – the “24kg”.

As reports the journalist of “24.kg” from the scene, the shooting is chaotic. Among the supporters of the former head of the state is wounded who defended themselves with stones. “All laid on the ground,” – the newspaper notes.

The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan on June 27 voted for deprivation of state immunity and the status of the former President, which gives the possibility of bringing him to criminal responsibility. He is suspected of facilitating the redevelopment of land, corruption in the reconstruction of the Bishkek TPP, the illegal release from prison of the Chechen kingpin Aziz Batukaev, as well as illegal supply of coal to thermal power station of the capital and the illegal obtaining of land for construction of residential houses in the village of Koi Tash, Chui region. The lawyer of ex-President of Kyrgyzstan Slesarev said that the decision of deputies not conforming to the Constitution of the country.

As the former head of the Kyrgyz state, he is subjected to political persecution by the current leadership of the Republic, and all the accusations calls “nonsense.” The ex-President also assured that he has premium weapons and in the case of attempts to capture it will render armed resistance. Atambayev three times previously ignored an invitation to appear for questioning at the interior Ministry.

Atambayev led Kyrgyzstan from 2011 to 2017 and was the first President, who voluntarily left the position after a full first term. It was he who initiated the nomination for the position of the current President Sooronbay Zheenbekov. Last spring, Atambaev has publicly acknowledged the existence of serious disagreements with Jeenbekov. </s> BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz special forces stormed the compound of former president Almazbek Atambayev Wednesday, injuring some of his supporters, as tensions between him and his successor Sooronbai Jeenbekov mount, threatening to spark a political crisis in the fragile Central Asian state. Atambayev, who ruled Kyrgyzstan from 2011 to 2017 before handing over to Jeenbekov, saw his immunity lifted in June as the authorities seek to prosecute him on corruption charges.

The former leader has increased security at his estate of Koi-Tash outside Bishkek in recent weeks, as tensions between him and Jeenbekov mount. Close supporters of Atambayev said that he had still not been arrested despite what Kyrgyzstan´s national security committee (GKNB) called a “special operation to detain former president Almazbek Atambayev.” The GKNB said that special forces were armed “only with rubber bullets.” Kyrgyzstan´s health ministry said that two people were hospitalised with injuries to the chest from rubber bullets. Mirbek Aitikeyev, an eyewitness at Koi-Tash told AFP who broadcast footage from the compound live on Facebook claimed some of the former president´s loyalists had seized weapons from special forces, forcing a withdrawal. “His supporters stole weapons from the special forces, who retreated under the onslaught of the crowd. Atambayev is still at his home... there are rumours that additional forces will be sent.

The people here are making preparations,” Aitikeyev said. Footage from the residence shared online showed a building in flames. Following the lifting of his immunity by parliament in June, Atambayev vowed to “stand to the end” against the charges, calling the administration of Jeenbekov a “mafia clan.” The two men were once frends and Atambayev backed Jeenbekov´s candidacy in the 2017 vote but they fell out just months after Jeenbekov´s inauguration as Atambayev publicly criticized his successor. He has maintained that the parliamentary vote to lift his immunity was unconstitutional. Jeenbekov´s office announced Wednesday that the president had cut short his holiday amid the chaos at a popular lakeside resort in the mountainous country. Footage shot inside the compound by Aitikeyev on Wednesday evening showed Atambayev meeting his supporters as usual, when suddenly sounds of gunshots were audible as people screamed and scattered for cover. The footage showed several people injured and bleeding and armed masked people in military fatigues and helmets running through the gates.

“Don´t shoot at people!” somebody screamed. Kyrgyz media said the road leading to the Koi-Tash residence has been blocked and an angry crowd has formed next to the police cars. Atambayev became Kyrgyzstan´s first elected president to hand over power peacefully in 2017, following revolutions in 2005 and 2010. Jeenbekov has accused Atambayev of seeking to control politics from the comfort of retirement. The conflict between the two men, both of whom have been accused of using law enforcement agencies to get rid of political opponents, threatens to provoke a political crisis in the fragile Central Asian state. Atambayev last month travelled to Russia and met with Vladimir Putin, who pledged his support to Kyrgyzstan but advised “everyone to unite around the current president and help him develop the country.” The conflict in Kyrgyzstan is likely to be watched with apprehension in Russia and China, whose political and economic interests in the country deepened during Atambayev´s rule.
Kyrgyzstan's security forces storm the compound of former President Almazbek Atambayev on the outskirts of Bishkek for the second time after a failed overnight raid left one officer dead. Atambayev and his loyalists are "putting up severe armed resistance", according to President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Atambayev is detained, ending a two-day standoff. One officer was killed, while 80 people were injured.