Fri 09 October 2020:
Former Kyrgyzstani President Almazbek Atambayev has reportedly survived an assassination attempt, which injured one person. The incumbent leader, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, has ordered a state of emergency in Bishkek over mass protests.
Friday’s apparent assassination attempt against Atambayev, who was freed from prison amid unrest following a disputed October 4 parliamentary vote, marked a new escalation of violence in the Central Asian country.
Chaos has gripped the capital since the controversial parliamentary election held less than a week ago, with supporters of rival political groups taking to the streets. The results of that election have now been annulled.
Atambayev was once close with his successor Jeenbekov, but the pair fell out shortly after the 61-year-old won the country’s last presidential election in 2017.
Оказывается выстрелы были предположительно по уезжающей машине Атамбаева. Тилека Токтогазиева ранили в голову, ещё весь окровавленный без сознания лежит якобы телохранитель Атамбаева. pic.twitter.com/jUEgdfxhz1
— Nurjamal Djanibekova (@NurjamalD) October 9, 2020
Assassination attempt
Atambayev was out among the crowds on Friday supporting Omurbek Babanov, a former prime minister who has emerged as a contender for the new PM role after the government of Kubatbek Boronov resigned.
Supporters of Atambayev and Babanov had gathered in the capital’s east, and were ready to watch them give speeches at the Ala-Too Square.
Proceedings started solemnly, with people honouring a 19-year-old protester who was killed in clashes days ago.
But a rival group of protesters, who support Sadyr Zhaparov, an opposition politician who was also released from jail and also wants the PM position, took to the stage, prompting a mass brawl.
There were clashes between the crowds for the next 10 minutes and Atambayev fled the scene.
Shots were reportedly fired at Atambayev’s car.
Tilek Toktogaziev, a businessman who is also vying to be the next prime minister, was also present – he was wounded by a flying rock.
