Protest in Bishkek against fugitive President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s return
Rally Against Return of Ousted Kyrgyz President
A rally organized by public associations formed after the 2010 revolution took place in the Maxim Gorky Park in Bishkek. The participants of the rally expressed their concern over the attempts made by the fugitive president Kurmanbek Bakiyev to rehabilitate himself and return to Kyrgyzstan. They mentioned an appeal that was sent to President Sadyr Japarov on behalf of the head of Aikol Taza Koom NGO, Usupbiy Sherimbaev, requesting monetary compensation from Bakiyev on behalf of the victims of the April events, widows, and orphans.
The protesters at the rally strongly opposed the idea of Bakiyev returning to Kyrgyzstan and rejected the notion of accepting any monetary compensation from him. They emphasized that even those who faced difficult fates, such as widows, orphans, and mothers who lost their only sons, did not ask for compensation and they will not accept “dirty money” from Bakiyev, even if prices are high in the country.
This rally echoes a similar protest that took place in Bishkek in May, where participants demanded the arrest of Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The fugitive president has been sentenced to 24 years in prison by the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan.
The rally was a strong display of public sentiment against the return of the ousted president and the demand for justice for the victims of the April events. The organizers and participants are determined to continue their efforts to prevent Bakiyev from coming back to Kyrgyzstan.
