Photo: mvd.gov.kg
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the detention of a group of suspects accused of organizing mass riots, including a former member of the Jogorku Kenesh (the Kyrgyz Parliament). According to a 24.kg law enforcement source, the detained former deputy is 64-year-old Bakyt Kerimbekov.
According to operational information, members of the public organization Kyrk Uruu Zheti Duban Yntymagy regularly held meetings where they allegedly incited citizens to participate in planned riots and property destruction.
The suspects were detained on February 24 after the Interior Ministry’s investigative service conducted searches in their homes. Security forces seized various items, including a grenade, sawed-off shotguns, a pistol, ammunition, camouflage clothing, narcotics, religious literature, specialized masks, instructions for organizing mass riots, cold weapons, vehicle license plates, mobile phones, and flash drives.
A criminal case has been opened under Article 278 (“Organization of Mass Riots Involving Violence”) of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code. All detainees have been placed in a temporary detention facility.
ℹ️ Previously, security forces had reported multiple thwarted attempts to organize mass unrest and stage a coup in Kyrgyzstan. For example, in November 2024, the Interior Ministry detained six individuals suspected of attempting a violent seizure of power. The alleged organizer was former Deputy Prosecutor General Kuban Adyl uulu, who was also taken into custody. Authorities seized weapons, ammunition, narcotics, more than a thousand bottles of alcohol, food supplies, and other equipment intended for organizing riots. In July 2024, security forces announced they had prevented another attempted coup planned for August 31—Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day.
