Political crisis in Kyrgyzstan, former President Atambaev arrested

Atambaev's arrest on October 10th comes at a time of mounting tensions, as the current president, Sooronbai Yeenbekov, called for the announcement of the state of emergency.

The armoured vehicles have been seen in parts of the capital, Bishkek, just one day after fighting between rival factions competing for power in the October 4th elections.

The riots were sparked after suspicions of vote purchases and other election fraud, where pro-government parties were initially declared winners. Opposition parties have refused to accept the election process, and thousands of citizens have come to protest, and some government protests have been taken over by demonstrators.

Later, opposition groups forced the governing cabinet to resign, and the election commission cancelled the outcome of the October 4th elections. But they have failed to reconcile who will lead the country's provisional government.

Today, lawmakers have gathered at the presidential palace in order to reach agreement on a new government and whether they will have to approve President Yeenbekov's order of the state of emergency.

Last week, Atambaev, who was president before Yeenbekov, had been released from a detention centre where he was serving his sentence on corruption charges.

Immediately after his release, he called for Yeenbekov to resign. Yeenbekov said he would leave the presidential post once the new cabinet is elected.

On 9 October, Atambaev's supporters clashed with the group of political rival Tlektogaziev.

Through a statement to the media on October 10th, the State Security Committee said Atambaev and two aides were arrested under allegations of inciting riots. However, no further details were given concerning his arrest, and whether to which centre the ban was sent to former President Atambaev. / REL