Iran Press/ Europe: Police in Kyrgyzstan have detained the former president Almazbek Atambayev after an outbreak of violence during a botched raid on his compound left a police officer dead and nearly 80 people injured, The Guardian reported.
The violence has raised the threat of fresh turmoil in the former Soviet country, which borders China and hosts a Russian military airbase. There have been two revolutions in Kyrgyzstan since 2005.
Almazbek Atambayev, who was in office from 2011-17, has accused his successor and one-time protege Sooronbai Jeenbekov of fabricating criminal charges against him to stifle criticism. He urged his supporters to demonstrate in the capital, Bishkek, on Thursday to demand Jeenbekov’s resignation.
Government forces stormed Atambayev’s compound three times before they managed to arrest the former president, who may also face charges in connection with the death of the police officer.
Footage from Atambayev’s compound on the outskirts of Bishkek showed fighting between soldiers and his supporters on Wednesday evening. At one point, soldiers picked up rocks and threw them at protesters as fires raged. Photographs appeared to show several injured troops captured by Atambayev’s supporters.
The operation was botched so poorly that the country’s national security chairman offered his resignation, which was refused. Ultimately, thousands of troops descended on the compound on Thursday evening, when Atambayev surrendered. He was flown by helicopter to Bishkek for interrogation. His supporters are planning to stage a rally in the capital, according to local reports. 101/208
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