Kyrgyzstan elections: Protesters seize gov’t house, free ex-leader

Protesters in Kyrgyzstan carious out demonstrations against election marred by vote-buying accusations.

Demonstrations in Kyrgyzstan turned to violent clashes as protesters seized the seat of government and freed a jailed former president on Tuesday.

#BREAKING Wow Anti-govt protesters in #Kyrgyzstan have stormed the presidential office.

Yesterday, two parties aligned with pro-Russian President Jeenbekov’s won the parliamentary vote yesterday.

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Opposition claims the election was rigged. pic.twitter.com/pTXQIthodW

— Mucahid Durmaz (@MucahidDurmaz) October 5, 2020

Opposition supporters took to streets in the capital Bishkek as they demanded the resignation of pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and a rerun of Sunday’s poll. Clashes came after allegations of vote-rigging in Sunday’s election.

Videos showed people in the office of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov and throwing paper from windows.

BBC reported that only four parties out of 16 passed the 7% threshold for entry into parliament, three of which have close ties to President Jeenbekov.

Police used stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in Ala-Too square.

During the violent clashes, around 120 people have reportedly been wounded. Half of them were law enforcement.

No deaths were reported, but several were in critical condition, the health ministry said.

Clashes came as 12 opposition parties jointly decided not to recognize the results of the vote.

President Jeenbekov’s office later announced that he would meet leaders from all parties that took part in the election to reduce tensions.

One of the opposition candidates Ryskeldi Mombekov, told a crowd of more than 5,000 protesters on Monday, “The president promised to oversee honest elections. He didn’t keep his word.”