10:52, 08 декабря 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Aigul KUVATOVA
Activist and administrator of Bespredel.kg social media account Aftandil Zhorobekov was detained. He reported on social media.
He announced a protest against changing the national flag of Kyrgyzstan. The rally is planned to be held on Saturday, December 9.
Human rights activists also reported that a search was conducted in the house of Aftandil Zhorobekov.
Earlier it was reported that the activist was summoned for questioning by the State Committee for National Security, he was detained, but later released. He is also the organizer of a car rally in defense of the flag, which was supposed to take place last Saturday, but the police prevented the participants and it did not take place.
Earlier, Parliament of Kyrgyzstan passed in the first reading a bill to change the national flag. At least 66 deputies supported it, 8 were against.
The upcoming change of the state flag is being actively discussed in Kyrgyzstan. The initiative to change the flag was put forward by the Speaker of Parliament Nurlanbek Shakiev. According to the initiators, changing the sun’s rays is aimed at improving the flag. However, social media users do not agree with the proposal.
The head of state also spoke on this matter. According to Sadyr Japarov, in general he supports the idea. Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev also spoke in favor of the change. He stated: «The flag should not look like a sunflower, but should give the image of a shining sun.»