ASSESSMENTS

In Kyrgyzstan, Signs of Growing Instability

Oct 4, 2012 | 15:46 GMT

In Kyrgyzstan, Signs of Growing Instability
Kyrgyz police cordon off the government headquarters in Bishkek on Oct. 3

VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/GettyImages

Summary

The Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office filed criminal charges against three members of parliament Oct. 4, including opposition leader and head of the Ata-Jurt party Kamchybek Tashiev. This comes a day after Tashiev led protests in Bishkek's central square that prompted clashes between demonstrators and security forces, leaving dozens injured. Tashiev's arrest on grounds of "forced seizure of power" has led to further protests demanding his release in Bishkek and in southern cities such as Jalal-Abad and Osh.

Tashiev is one of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev's greatest critics and has been trying to take advantage of controversial issues in the country to boost his political position at Atambayev's expense. Tashiev's detention and the ensuing demonstrations shed light on the social divisions and weak political foundations of the Kyrgyz state and could lead to larger protests and violence.

New protests and widening political divisions show the potential for greater destabilization in the restive country....

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