Son of Former Kyrgyz President Arrested Over Attempted Coup

Kadyrbek Atambayev, the son of former Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev, has been arrested in Bishkek. This was reported by the 24.kg agency, Qrnews.kz relays.

The Pervomaisky District Court of the capital granted the investigators’ request and ordered pre-trial detention until January 17. Kadyrbek Atambayev is suspected of preparing a violent overthrow of the government.

Earlier, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that it had stopped the activities of a group that, according to investigators, planned mass unrest after the elections to the Jogorku Kenesh. The ministry claims that participants intended to organize a series of rallies in different regions to create the appearance of public discontent and carry out unconstitutional actions, including attempts to seize administrative buildings and facilities belonging to security forces.

According to investigators, the group included former MPs, ex-officials, law enforcement officers, and political figures. They allegedly recruited supporters from organized criminal groups and sports communities for violent provocations.

Kadyrbek Atambayev denies any wrongdoing. His father, former President Almazbek Atambayev, has not publicly commented on his son’s arrest.