Conflicting information continues to come from Kyrgyzstan regarding the operation to arrest ex-President Almazbek Atambayev. A few hours ago, special forces attempted to detain Atambayev. According to some sources, the operation was successful and he was captured; according to other sources, the confrontation continues. The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Kyrgyzstan stated that the operation is continuing, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
At the moment, at least ten people are known to be injured, including a journalist and a member of the national parliament. Five ambulance teams have been sent to the site, hospitals in Bishkek and Chui region are preparing to receive victims.
The headquarters of the former head of state, where they previously announced his detention, stated that Atambayev continues to resist the special forces who are conducting an operation to detain him in the village of Koi-Tash, Chui region.
“The special forces were able to enter the territory of Atambayev’s residence and approach the house where the ex-president is located, who continues to resist,” said a representative of the headquarters. According to him, there is still no complete picture of what is happening, since the special forces are not allowing anyone near the house where Atambayev is located, from where “shots continue to be heard.”
“Atambayev’s supporters are erecting barricades from cut down trees on the outside of the fence to prevent the ex-president from being taken out of the residence,” the source noted, adding that those gathered were burning tires.