Alice Wells, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, urged all parties in Kyrgyzstan to restore calm and act in accordance with the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan and democratic traditions. The message was posted on Twitter.
It is noted that U.S. authorities express their continued support for elected, democratic institutions and adherence to the rule of law.
On August 7, the special forces of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan attempted to storm Almazbek Atambayev’s residence in Koi-Tash village. The storm failed twice. About 45 people were injured during the riots; the Deputy Commander of Alpha special forces died from a gunshot wound.
On August 8, special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out special operation to detain the former president Atambayev. All roads to Koi-Tash were blocked, communication was jammed, access to the Internet was blocked. At least 3,000 police officers and special machinery were pulled in to the epicenter. After a two-hour confrontation, the police managed to force the situation — Almazbek Atambayev decided to surrender. He was taken to the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan for interrogation. He is detained.
Preventive measure — detention in pre-trial detention center of the State Committee for National Security until August 26 — was selected for Almazbek Atambayev at an offsite hearing of the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek tonight.
In addition, Omurbek Babanov returned to the capital today. The State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reminded that Omurbek Babanov is a defendant in two criminal cases — on the fact of his speech in Amir-Timur microdistrict in Osh city, where he expressed unreasonable, provocative in meaning words, and preparations for a violent seizure of power and riots, which were prevented.
