Kumtor case: Rally held near court building in Bishkek

Rally in support of the ex-speaker of Kyrgyzstan Asylbek Jeenbekov, detained within a criminal case on Kumtor, is held in Bishkek near the building of the Pervomaisky District Court.

The protesters demand to release him from custody.

The court received materials on the extension of the period of investigation of the criminal case. In addition, the issue of extension of the measure of restraint for the suspects Asylbek Jeenbekov, Taiyrbek Sarpashev, Daniyar Narymbaev and Torobai Zulpukarov will also be considered today.

The defendants in the case on Kumtor are the former and current MPs Torobai Zulpukarov and Iskhak Pirmatov, the latter has already been sentenced to a fine. Another person involved in the case, ex-prime minister Omurbek Babanov, has been released from custody. The measure of restraint for Talant Uzakbaev, Temir Sariev, Dzhoomart Otorbaev, and Almazbek Baatyrbekov has been changed.

Former speaker of Parliament Asylbek Jeenbekov and the First Deputy Prime Minister Taiyrbek Sarpashev are in custody. Supporters believe that the arrests as politically motivated.