Is Kyrgyzstan’s Former President Embracing a New Image?
A decade after being sentenced to 30 years in jail for his role in the deaths of protesters during the April 2010 revolution in Kyrgyzstan, former president Kurmanbek Bakiev is now reportedly planning a controversial return to his homeland as an investor. Current President Sadyr Japarov, who himself was a part of Bakiev’s regime before going into opposition, has confirmed plans for Bakiev to build a garment factory where relatives of the victims of the 2010 shootings can work.
While Japarov has presented himself as a peacemaker, his decision to facilitate Bakiev’s return has sparked outrage among those who were involved in the protests and remain opposed to any reconciliation with the former authoritarian leader. The allocation of land for the factory, approved by the cabinet, has raised further concerns about Bakiev’s potential rehabilitation.
The organization tasked with overseeing the factory, April 7 Solidarity, was registered in 2024 and is led by a group of men with connections to Bakiev. However, questions have been raised about the group’s legitimacy and its representation of the protest victims.
Opposition politician Temirlan Sultanbekov has expressed strong opposition to Bakiev’s return and has criticized the decision to allocate land for the factory. He has raised concerns about the sources of funding for the project and has called for the money to be confiscated.
As speculation swirls about Bakiev’s potential comeback and the implications for Kyrgyzstan’s political landscape, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. With Belarus facing its own challenges, including international sanctions, the return of Bakiev could have far-reaching consequences for both countries.
