Kyrgyzstan detains ex-officials, politicians on charges of plotting mass riots

Employees of Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry have detained over a dozen former officials, including high-ranking officials, as well as politicians, on suspicion of plotting mass riots.

"A case has been opened under the article 'preparation for organizing mass riots' of Kyrgyzstan's Criminal Code against more than ten detainees, including ex-officials, public figures, and politicians. In accordance with the law, searches were conducted in their homes, and some were detained," TASS reports citing an unnamed source at the ministry.

According to the source, the issue over the suspects' arrest "will be decided in court".

He refused to reveal the detainees' names and surnames, stating that they will be announced "at the official level" in the near future.

According to Kyrgyz media, homes of former MP Ravshan Jeenbekov, former Constitutional Court judge Klara Sooronkulova, ex-member of the Central Election Commission Gulnara Jurabayeva, politicians Zhenish Moldokmatov, Keneshbek Duishebayev, and Kubanychbek Kadyrov have been searched.