The seizure of power was to take place after the early parliamentary elections, according to the GKNB. The previous change of power in Kyrgyzstan took place after the parliamentary elections in October 2020, the results of which caused mass protests
More than 15 people have been detained in Kyrgyzstan in connection with the preparation of a violent seizure of power, the portal reports 24.kg with reference to the information of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (GKNB).
The riots, according to the security forces, were supposed to begin after the announcement of the results of the early parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for November 28. After the previous elections in October 2020, mass protests took place in Kyrgyzstan, which led to the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, the voting results were annulled.
“Irrefutable evidence has been obtained of the criminal activity of a group of individuals under the leadership of certain destructive-minded political forces, including members of parliament and former high-ranking officials. After the announcement of the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections, citizens planned to organize rallies in Bishkek with a violent seizure of power,” the State Security Committee reported.
The committee clarified that to participate in the riots, their organizers recruited about 1 thousand young people, with whom systematic meetings were held aimed at indoctrinating them against state structures, plans to provoke mass riots were discussed.
During the searches, firearms, ammunition and narcotic drugs were seized from the detainees and in their office.
“More than 15 suspects have been detained. In this criminal case, other members of the criminal group are also being identified, whose actions will also be given an appropriate legal assessment,” the State Security Committee added.
The protests in Kyrgyzstan in October 2020 began due to the fact that in the elections held on October 5, 2020, representatives of parties closely associated with President Sooronbem Jeenbekov took the majority of seats in parliament. People took to the streets demanding new elections. The protests escalated into clashes with security forces, protesters seized several administrative buildings, including the parliament building.
Of the five presidents of independent Kyrgyzstan, only two have peacefully and legally transferred power: Roza Otunbayeva, who held office during the transition period of 2010 and 2011, and Almazbek Atambayev, who followed her. The first and second presidents of the country, Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, were forced to flee Kyrgyzstan. Jeenbekov also resigned under pressure from street protests.
New presidential elections were held in the republic on January 10, 2021, they were won by Sadyr Zhaparov, who was ahead of 16 other competitors by a large margin— he received almost 80% of the votes. Simultaneously with the elections, a referendum was held on changing the form of government from a parliamentary to a presidential republic. The majority of those who came to vote supported this proposal. At the same time, the turnout, although the elections were early and took place only four months after the revolution, turned out to be relatively small – less than 40%.
Zhaparov returned to politics straight from his prison cell, where he was serving time on charges of hostage-taking. Supporters released him on October 6, the second day of popular unrest. On October 10, Zhaparov was confirmed as Prime Minister. Five days later, he forced President Sooronbai Jeenbekov to resign and took his place, becoming acting head of state. In his resignation letter, Jeenbekov explained that he did not want to remain in the history of Kyrgyzstan as a president who “shed blood and shot at his citizens”.
In April, Kyrgyzstan held a referendum on amendments to the Constitution. With a turnout of more than 30%, citizens supported the changes in the Basic Law: the duties of the head of government were transferred to the head of the presidential staff, the president received the right to appoint and dismiss ministers. The number of MPs was reduced from 120 to 90.
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