All news

20 people announce hungerstrike in Kyrgyzstan in protest against detention of Opposition leaders

A week ago, police arrested three senior Ata-Zhurt officials after on suspicion of involvement in the riots that occurred in Bishkek last Wednesday
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

BISHKEK, October 9 (Itar-Tass) — Some 20 Kyrgyz Opposition activists announced a hungerstrike on Tuesday in protest against the detention of their leaders, press secretary of the Ata-Zhurt Party Nurgazy Anarkulov told Itar-Tass.

The participants in the hungerstrike in the southern regional center of Jalalabad demand the release of Ata Zhurt functionaries Kamchybek Tashiyev, Talant Mamytov and Sadyr Zhaparov, as well as the other persons detained for taking part in the rally.

"Our Party’s supporters intend to continue the hungerstrike until all their demands have been met; they will be acting strictly within the law," Anarkulov said.

A week ago, police arrested three senior Ata-Zhurt officials after on suspicion of involvement in the riots that occurred in Bishkek last Wednesday. Police suspect them of masterminding the riot.

Criminal proceedings were opened over "the attempt of violent government overthrow and calls for overthrowing government."

On October 3, a 500-strong rally demanded the nationalization of Kumtor, a large Kyrgyz-Canadian gold mining joint venture. The protesters attempted to break through on to the premises of the government house which also houses the parliament and the presidential administration.

The servicemen guarding the building used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the attackers. The crowd was edged out and dispersed across the city.

Twelve persons were injured in the clashes, mostly police officers.

An inter-departmental group is investigating the riot.