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Food Catering for Rioters? Alleged Signs of a Coup Plot in Kyrgyzstan

One grenade, a pistol, several drones, vodka to get would-be rioters drunk, one ton of rice and one horse for slaughter. These were among the tools that a band of half a dozen alleged plotters, including Kyrgyzstan’s former deputy prosecutor general, planned to deploy in order to foment chaos and violently seize power, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The suspects’ plan was to hold a sports event along with other competitions on the outskirts of Bishkek, ply spectators with alcohol and food and then rile them up on Nov. 17, when local elections are held, the ministry said. Whatever the chances of success of such an alleged coup plot, the charges against the group are severe and have been rolled out in other instances by a government whose opponents say is intent on snuffing out perceived threats to stability, at the expense of free expression and other rights. Kyrgyzstan has experienced periodic political upheavals over the years. President Sadyr Japarov himself came to power in one of those chaotic events, winning election in 2021 after being released from jail by protesters just months earlier. Japarov had been in a cell for kidnapping, a conviction that he said was politically motivated. He has sometimes warned of the perils of “anarchy” in Kyrgyzstan; critics fear a slide toward authoritarianism. Earlier this week, media organizations in Kyrgyzstan reported that Kuban Adyl uulu, a former top prosecutor who was dismissed in April, was arrested and will be held in pretrial detention until Jan. 10. The government described him as the “main organizer” of the coup plot “whose tasks included financial support, communication with law enforcement agencies, transmission of information obtained about their actions, distribution of roles and coordination during mass riots and seizure of power.” Adyl uulu was among seven people, including several foreign nationals, who were arrested, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said. One of the foreigners allegedly participated in military operations in another country, a possible reference to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “The group had 1,000 bottles of vodka to get the crowd drunk, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, 1 ton of rice, 1 horse for slaughter, and food for cooking pilaf for the participants in the mass riots confiscated from the warehouse,” the ministry said. It said charges including plans to incite riots and resist government officials by force were based on evidence, including the grenade, the pistol, several drones, a thermal imager and other items. If convicted, the suspects could face long prison terms. Adyl uulu had been fired as part of a reshuffle of the leadership, including anti-corruption officers, in the prosecutor general’s office that was ordered by Japarov. At the time of his dismissal, there was no mention of his alleged involvement in a possible coup plot. Instead, the president had reprimanded the prosecutor general and the natural resources minister over the alleged interference of subordinates in the activities of the ministry’s licensing commission. On Wednesday, Russia weighed in on the alleged coup plot in...

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Human Rights Activists Urge Belgian Authorities to Halt Deportation of Tajik Citizens with Children

The human rights organization Freedom for Eurasia has called on Belgian authorities to halt the deportation of Sitoramo Ibrohimova and her four children to Tajikistan. Human rights activists argue that the 37-year-old, currently being held in a Belgian migration detention center, risks facing persecution in Tajikistan, where she is accused of ISIS affiliation and participation in the war in Syria. Her name is reportedly included on a list of individuals linked to extremism by the National Bank of Tajikistan. Ibrohimova is married to Murodali Halimov, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison in Tajikistan on terrorism and mercenary charges. Leyla Nazgul Seyitbek, head of Freedom for Eurasia, informed Radio Ozodi that while Belgium has not agreed to extradite Ibrohimova, they have decided on deportation. “She is depressed, and her 12-year-old son has stopped speaking due to stress,” Seyitbek said. In addition to her children, Ibrohimova cares for the two daughters of her sister, Nigora Saidova, who was deported from Poland and sentenced to seven years in Tajikistan for allegedly “supporting terrorism.” According to The Insider, Tajikistan has requested Ibrohimova's extradition, though activists insist the terrorism charges are fabricated. Since 2015, when the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) was banned, many IRPT supporters and other opposition members have fled, seeking asylum in Europe. However, reports from European media, including The Insider and Polityka, indicate that EU authorities frequently deport Tajik refugees without full consideration of their cases, despite concerns over their safety if returned to Tajikistan. The Times of Central Asia is covering the detention of Tajik opposition figure Dilmurod Ergashev, who was deported from Germany. In recent years, several political refugees have faced deportation from the EU and were subsequently sentenced to long prison terms in Tajikistan. Examples include Abdullo Shamsiddin, son of IRPT activist Shamsiddin Saidov, who received a seven-year sentence, and Bilol Kurbonaliev from Group 24, sentenced to ten years. Farrukh Ikromov, deported from Poland, received a 23-year sentence, and Hizbullo Shovalizoda, an IRPT member deported from Austria in 2020, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Tajikistan.

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Kyrgyz Politician Irina Karamushkina Detained on Suspicion of Offering Cash for Votes

Irina Karamushkina, a senior member of the Social Democrats party and a former deputy of Kyrgyzstan's Parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, has been detained in Bishkek on suspicion of buying votes ahead of local elections on November 17. The Social Democrats are one of about 20 parties whose candidates are registered in the elections. According to the press service of the city's police department, on November 13 an audio recording surfaced on social media in Kyrgyzstan, in which the chief of staff of the Social Democrats party, identified as "I.K.", allegedly discussed vote buying with a person named "D.C." ahead of Sunday's elections. In response, Bishkek police investigators launched a criminal case under Article 196 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code, addressing election bribery. Later, the police distributed an audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation between Karamushkina and Daniyar Cholponbaev -- the party's candidate for deputy -- where they appear to discuss offering bribes for votes. The investigation found that "T.R.", a trustee of the Social Democrats, and "I.K." were involved in voter bribery, offering 1,000 Kyrgyz som ($12) per vote. During a search of the party headquarters, authorities seized lists indicating payments of 15,000 to 30,000 som ($175 to $350) to over 40 individuals, along with 28,300 som ($330) in cash, believed to be intended for offering bribes to voters. "T.R." and "I.K." were detained as suspects and are being held in a temporary detention facility. The investigation is ongoing. On November 13, police and special forces raided the Social Democrats’ headquarters, evacuating everyone from the premises. Party leader Temirlan Sultanbekov was taken in for questioning, and Karamushkina’s residence was also searched as part of the investigation.

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Artifacts Seized as Illegal Assets Transferred to Kazakh Museum

The Company for the Management of Returned Assets (CMRA) LLP has announced that ancient jewelry, reclaimed as illegal assets from individuals, will now be part of the National Museum of Kazakhstan's collection. Examinations revealed that the jewelry has significant historical value, dating back to the early Iron and medieval periods. Some of the pieces, identified as ancient artifacts, are linked to the Saka period, a pivotal era in Kazakh history. According to a letter from the National Museum, several items hold cultural importance, representing Kazakhstan's history from the Early Iron Age through the Middle Ages. These artifacts will be added to the museum's permanent collection, making them available for scientific research and accessible to a broader audience. The collection, which includes jewelry crafted in the traditional “animal style,” weighs approximately 118 grams and dates between the 7th century BC and the 3rd century AD. Notable pieces include an eagle’s head ornament, a depiction of a horned animal in a raised position, figures of a winged lion and a winged horse, a leopard in a dynamic pose, an image of a running deer, ancient coins, two interlocked spiral rings, and a ring with a lion's head. Additionally, a ring inscribed with Arabic script will undergo further study and re-evaluation. Previously, the CMRA named the five most valuable pieces of jewelry and accessories recovered and returned to the state.

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Tajikistan Detains Opposition Activist Ergashev for Two Months

Tajik opposition activist Dilmurod Ergashev, formerly of the Group of 24, was detained and arrested in Dushanbe for two months. This was reported to Radio Ozodi by Sharofiddin Gadoev, leader of the Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan, citing sources. However, Tajik authorities have not officially confirmed the information. Gadoev stated that Ergashev was brought to Dushanbe on a flight from Istanbul on the morning of November 7 and handed over to local law enforcement immediately upon arrival. The next day, the Sino District Court in Dushanbe, in a closed session, ordered his provisional detention for two months. When contacted, the Sino District Court claimed it had no information on Ergashev's case and advised journalists to submit an official inquiry. Gadoev alleges that Ergashev is currently held in Tajikistan's GKNB pre-trial detention center, where he is reportedly denied access to a lawyer and legal assistance. This information could not be independently verified, and the press office of the Tajik Interior Ministry also stated it was not involved in the case. The 40-year-old opposition activist was deported from Germany on November 6. According to his lawyer and friends, Ergashev attempted to harm himself by slitting his veins as police prepared to escort him to Düsseldorf Airport. However, following medical treatment, the deportation proceeded. Ergashev, who had lived in Germany for 13 years, was detained on October 28 in the town of Kleve and taken to a local administrative court, which ordered his deportation to Tajikistan. His lawyers contend that the court overlooked his pending application for political asylum, still under review by another judicial authority. Since 2015, dozens of Tajik citizens opposing their government have sought asylum in Europe, particularly in Poland and Germany. In recent years, the EU has deported several of these individuals, including Abdullo Shamsiddin, Bilol Kurbonaliev, and Farrukh Ikromov. Abdullo Shamsiddin, the son of Shamsiddin Saidov—a banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) activist—received a seven-year prison sentence, while Bilol Kurbonaliev, another Group 24 member, was sentenced to ten years in prison. Farrukh Ikromov, deported from Poland, received a 23-year sentence. Another activist, Hizbullo Shovalizoda, an IRPT member extradited from Austria in 2020, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Tajikistan.

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Kyrgyz Police Claim to Have Foiled Another Seizure of Power

Operational services from Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry have detained alleged organizers of mass riots accused of plotting a violent seizure of power, according to a statement. The Main Department of Criminal Investigation received intelligence about a group preparing to destabilize the socio-political situation in the country. Reportedly, the group had a clear division of roles, including organizers, accomplices, financiers, and executors. The plan allegedly involved using sports events in the suburbs of Bishkek as a cover to spread anti-constitutional slogans and incite violence on November 17, the day of elections to local councils. The Interior Ministry has opened a criminal case under several articles, including charges related to preparing for mass riots and attempting to seize power. During the investigation, multiple suspects were detained, including foreign nationals and individuals who had participated in armed conflicts outside Kyrgyzstan. Authorities seized a range of equipment from the detainees, including a grenade, ammunition, drones, and a thermal imager. Among those detained is a former deputy prosecutor general of Kyrgyzstan, who, according to investigators, financed and coordinated the group. Searches of a warehouse linked to the suspects revealed supplies intended for the rioters, including alcoholic beverages and ingredients for cooking pilaf. The detainees face charges under multiple articles of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code, including forming an organized group, financing criminal activities, and participating in armed conflicts abroad. The court has ordered that they remain in custody until January 10, 2025. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify additional members and organizers of the group. Kyrgyzstan has faced multiple coup attempts and incidents of mass unrest in recent years. In July 2024, the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported preventing an attempted power seizure by detaining a group accused of planning mass riots to destabilize the country. In June 2023, the GKNB detained more suspects in a coup plot. In May 2024, mass riots erupted in Bishkek after a conflict between residents and foreign students, resulting in 15 injuries and the detention of 29 individuals.