Kyrgyz ex-president arrested in second raid on residence

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan

Security forces on Thursday arrested former Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev in a second attempt after Monday’s raid on his residence failed.

They stormed Atambayev’s residence which is located in Koi-Tash village -- 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) away from the capital Bishkek to arrest him, according to the Atambayev’s political headquarter.

The Interior Ministry announced that Atambayev was taken to the investigation department.

Hundreds of Atambayev’s supporters attempted to defend him and a wide range of security measures were taken around his residence.

Six security guards, who were taken hostage in last night’s operation, were released, according to eyewitnesses.

Special forces withdrew from the village early Thursday after failing to arrest Atambayev at his residence.

Some 85 people were wounded in brawls between security forces and Atambayev supporters who were guarding his residence for one-a-half month.

Meanwhile, Wednesday's raid left a police officer dead.

Kyrgyzstan’s current President Sooronbay Jeenbekov returned to Bishkek, cutting his vacation short.

Extraordinary general assembly was formed and chaired by Parliament Speaker Dastanbek Cumabekov.

Refuting the idea that Atambayev and he had personal problems, Jeenbekov said: "This is not a debate of two people. This is a legal struggle against a person who gives more importance to his personal interest than the interests of the state.”

Atambayev, whose immunity was lifted, has been refusing to obey a subpoena in an unspecified criminal probe.

The former president, serving from 2011 to 2017, has been accused of corruption, which he denies. The Kyrgyz parliament stripped him of immunity in June.

Despite being relatively stable, Kyrgyzstan has experienced periods of volatility since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

In 2005 and 2010, the then-presidents were deposed in violent protests that left hundreds dead.

Most of Kyrgyzstan’s six million people are Turkic-speaking Muslims and the north and south of the country are divided by wealth and ethnic tensions.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar