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In Kyrgyzstan, the special forces launched an operation against the residence of ex-President Almazbek Atambayev on Wednesday evening, 7 August, to arrest him. The former head of state was indicted late June for corruption. His immunity has been lifted. Almazbek Atambayev rejected the accusations against him and had so far refused to appear in court. But the assault on Wednesday has turned to chaos. At least one Special Forces member was shot dead and several dozen people were injured.
When the elite units of the Kyrgyz police started the operation against Almazbek Atambayev's residence, they clearly did not expect such resistance. After a first assault on the heavily secured terrain and several buildings, more than a thousand supporters of the former president gathered on site to prevent his arrest. The Kyrgyz Minister of the Interior sent reinforcements. The videos, broadcast by local media, show scenes of chaos. Authorities and supporters of Almazbek Atambayev accuse each other of shooting live ammunition.
Since his indictment for corruption, the former Kyrgyz president has refused to appear before a judge. In June, he went to Moscow to seek the support of the Russian president. Vladimir Putin then explicitly urged current President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, former foal turned rival of Almazbek Atambayev, not to increase political tensions in Kyrgyzstan.
It is unclear for the moment whether the former head of state was finally arrested by the police. According to his lawyer, quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax, Almazbek Atambayev was allegedly exfiltrated to a safe place. Sooronbaï Jeenbekov has shortened his holiday to meet his Security Council this Thursday in the capital Bishkek.