Reward of $20 -100 thousand for Kyrgyz ex-top officials.

3/5 Tass 43

BISHKEK, May 3 (Itar-Tass) - The interim government of Kyrgyzstan has
made a decision to pay a reward of 20,000 to 100,000 US dollars to
citizens for real assistance in the search and capture of a number of
former high-ranking officials, the press service of the republic's cabinet
told Itar-Tass on Monday. "Total confidentiality will be guaranteed for
the citizens," the press service stressed.
Among the persons on the list of those for the capture of which a
reward is promised are Kyrgyzstan ex-president's brother Zhanybek Bakiyev
who headed the State Security Service, the younger son of the former head
of state, Maxim Bakiyev, who headed the central agency for development,
investments and innovations, as well as two brothers of the ex-president -
Kanybek and Akhmatbek Bakiyev. The award will be paid to citizens who help
in the search for former Prime Ministers Igor Chudinov and Daniyar Usenov,
as well as Alexei Yeliseyev and Alexei Shirshov who were regarded "grey
figures" under Maxim Bakiyev. Besides, former Energy Minister Saparbek
Balkibekov and several senior officials of the State Security Service.
The republic's law enforcers suspect that it is with assistance of
these people that major financial damage was done to the republic governed
by Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Police also believe that some of them are involved
in shooting at an opposition rally participants in central Bishkek on
April 7. A total of 85 people were killed and about 1,500 wounded on that
day as a result of clashes of protesters with police.
The 2010 Kyrgyzstan uprising was part of a series of riots across the
country. The uprising stems from growing anger against the government of
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the sluggish economy, and follow the
government's closure of several media outlets. Protesters took control of
a government office in Talas on April 6, and on April 7 clashes between
protesters and police in the capital Bishkek turned violent. At least 88
deaths and 500 injuries have been confirmed. Bakiyev also accused Russia
of staging his ouster because he extended the lease of the Manas Air Base
to the Americans.
After the riots, President Bakiyev fled the capital in his private jet
south to Osh, while opposition leaders formed a new interim government led
by former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva. In his southern home base
Bakiyev supporters turned out in large numbers to show support for him and
demanded his restoration to power. On April 15, a rally in support of
Bakiyev was abruptly stopped due to gunfire from unknown sources. The same
day Bakiyev left the country for Kazakhstan first, and then Belarus. He
consequently, submitted his resignation. Although he has since challenged
that.
On the morning of April 7 a small group of protesters were arrested
outside the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party in Bishkek.
Hundreds of protesters then gathered. Police attempted to stop them using
tear gas and stun grenades, but the protesters overwhelmed the police, and
took control of two armoured vehicles and numerous automatic weapons. The
protest group, now numbering between three and five thousand, then moved
towards the centre of town and into Ala-Too Square, where gunshots and
stun grenades could be heard, and protesters were seen fleeing. Protesters
in Bishkek filled Ala-Too Square and surrounded the White House, the
office of Kyrgyzstan's president. Police began using tear gas, rubber
bullets, and stun grenades to disperse protesters. In an attempt to gain
entrance to the presidential office, demonstrators drove two trucks into
the gates of the White House, at which point it was reported that police
started firing on protesters with live ammunition. Witnesses reported that
both protesters and riot police were wounded during the clashes, and at
least forty-one protesters were killed. A state of emergency was declared,
as well as a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am.
Later that day opposition leaders and demonstrators stormed the
parliament building, led by the opposition leader Omurbek Tekebayev, who
had been arrested the day before but was subsequently released. The
headquarters for KTR, Kyrgyzstan's main television broadcaster, was also
taken over by protesters. After being off the air for part of the day, KTR
resumed transmission Wednesday evening featuring members of the opposition
as well as human rights representatives. By late Wednesday opposition
leaders had announced the formation of a new government, and soon
thereafter reports came in that President Bakiyev had left Bishkek and
flown to Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. There were no reported demonstrations
in Osh.
In addition to Bishkek and Talas, rallies and protests were reported
in other parts of the country, including Naryn, Tokmok, and the Issyk-Kul
region. There were also reports that the government of the Issyk-Kul
region had been taken over by members of opposition parties. There was an
information blackout throughout much of the country, as TV stations went
off the air and both phones and internet became unreliable.
On April 14, 2010, interim leader Roza Otunbayeva announced that
President Bakiyev, his defence minister, as well as relatives in
government and political allies would face trial over the deaths of
protesters. A Kyrgyz court issued an arrest warrant for Bakiyev's brother,
eldest son and former Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov.
Various states in the region and beyond expressed concern and called
for stability in the country. International bodies like the UN, EU and the
OSCE also made similar calls.
-0-ezh/gor