Former President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev was imprisoned until August 26, he was placed in the pre-trial detention center of the State Committee for National Security. This was reported to the 24.kg portal by the lawyer of the ex-head of state Sergey Slesarev. According to him, an emergency exit meeting was held in the building of the State Committee for National Security in Bishkek, at which Atambayev was elected a preventive measure during the investigation.
“No one presented any documents about the detention, including the forced drive. They promised that they will be presented today. No one reacted that the documents had been prepared before the delivery of the suspicious notice in the case of Aziz Batukaev (criminal authority. - RT ). My client was handed this notice and immediately a preventive measure was taken, ”the lawyer emphasized.
The lawyer also called the preliminary charges against Atambayev unfounded and contrary to the Constitution. According to him, the defense intends to appeal to international courts, in particular, the Hague Tribunal.
“How can it (the accusation. - RT ) be justified if my client was invited as a witness, but was not interrogated?” He was immediately given a notice of suspicion. This is the scenario that was originally planned. These actions are illegal, since Almazbek Atambayev, as the ex-president, has immunity, ”Slesarev emphasized.
It is worth noting that on June 27 the parliament of Kyrgyzstan deprived Atambayev of immunity. At the same time, the lawyer of the ex-president said on the eve that he does not recognize the legality of this decision.
According to Sputnik Kyrgyzstan, the former president of the republic is suspected of violating article 319 “Corruption” of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code.
At the same time, the press service of the republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that police officers dispersed Atambayev’s supporters who violated public order and tried to destabilize the socio-political situation using special means at night in Bishkek. Currently, the situation is under the full control of the department. In addition, measures are being taken to identify and detain the instigators of unrest.
- © Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
The day before, Almazbek Atambayev surrendered to employees of the State Committee for National Security after a new attempt to storm his residence in the village of Koy-Tash. The next special operation, which involved about two thousand police officers and special forces, was personally led by the head of the republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kashkar Dzhunushaliev. At the same time, resistance was provided to them by about 300-400 supporters of the ex-president. As a result of these skirmishes, four security officials and one civilian were injured.
The first attempt to capture Atambaev was made on Wednesday evening, August 7. During the clashes, one of the fighters of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan was killed, while 98 people were injured. After the incident, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened criminal proceedings under the articles “Mass riots”, “Hooliganism”, “Murder”, “Attempted murder”, “Threat or violence against a government official”, “Hostage-taking”.
At the same time, the ex-president of the republic admitted that he himself used weapons. In addition, he turned to Kyrgyz citizens, assuring that he was not involved in corruption crimes.
“I have suggested several times to give written testimony: both through the press and confidentially ... I am ready to answer any question, because there was no corruption on my part in the Batukaev case. Sooronbai Jeenbekov knows this very well, I told him myself. And this cynicism is amazing, ”said Atambayev.
He also called on the authorities to change their minds, stop shooting at civilians and return to the legal field.
“I am immensely grateful to the people of Kyrgyzstan, I believe in the spirit of citizens, I believe in the bright future of Kyrgyzstan, everything will be fine, but we must defend our freedom together. We will not allow all of Kyrgyzstan to be slaves of a family clan, ”the ex-head of state pointed out.
In turn, President Sooronbai Jeenbekov at an extraordinary session of parliament on August 8 said that the events are not a personal confrontation between two people. According to him, supporters of Atambayev are fighting against the disclosure of criminal acts, against legal investigation and ensuring fair justice.
“Unfortunately, in the history of our country there have been several cases when prominent and authoritative domestic politicians were arrested. All of them, obeying the laws, came to the investigation and court hearings. And Atambayev, worried about his own well-being, refused to come to the investigator. For his sake, he did not fail to sacrifice the lives of people, ”Jeenbekov emphasized.
The current president of Kyrgyzstan came to power in 2017, replacing his party member. This was the second case of a peaceful transfer of government in the republic since independence since 1991. Meanwhile, criminal cases were brought against the members of Atambayev’s team and arrested. In May 2019, Jeenbekov signed a law that allows depriving former presidents of immunity and holding them criminally liable, after which the ex-head of state was charged with corruption. Atambayev himself called them politically motivated.