| 2010 Kyrgyzstani revolution | |
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An army vehicle burns outside the presidential office building during citywide protests and riots in Bishkek on April 7. |
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| Location | Kyrgyzstan |
| Date | April 3–15, 2010 |
| Deaths | 88[1] |
| Injured | 1,000+[2][3] |
| Number of participant(s) | 5,000 protesters[4] |
The 2010 Kyrgyzstani revolution was a series of riots and demonstrations across Kyrgyzstan in April 2010 that led ultimately to the ousting of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The uprising stemmed from growing anger against Bakiyev's administration, rising energy prices, 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[1] and over 1000 injuries have been confirmed.[2][5][6] Bakiyev also accused Russia of staging his ousting 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.[7][8] 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.[9] The same day, Bakiyev left the country for Kazakhstan, and then went on to Belarus. He subsequently resigned as President,[10] although he has since renounced his resignation.[11]
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During the winter of 2009-2010 Kyrgyzstan suffered from rolling blackouts and cutoffs occurring regularly while energy prices rose.[12]
In January 2010 Kyrgyzstan sent a delegation to China to discuss improved economic relations.[13] Kyrgyzstan national electric company Natsionalnaya electricheskaya syet and the Chinese Tebian Electric signed a $342 million contract to build the Datka-Kemin 500 kv power transmission lines. This would have reduced Kyrgyzstan's dependence on the Central Asian power system, and energy dependence on Russia. The delegation was led by Bakiyev's son.[13]
In February 2010 Kyrgyzstan had to raise energy tariffs. Heating costs were reportedly going to rise 400% and electricity by 170%.[14] Long-term frustration has been building in Kyrgyzstan over the perceived corruption and cronyism in the Bakiyev administration, as well as the country's poor economic situation and a recent rise in utility rates.[15][16]
The sporadic and chaotic protests took many off guard both in Kyrgyzstan and abroad. The revolt has not been given a name yet. The Guardian, a British national daily newspaper, published an article on April 8 that suggested the revolt could be dubbed fir tree revolution - after the presidential shrubs that looters dug up from the front garden of Kurmanbek Bakiyev.[17] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Kyrgyzstan on April 3, and protesters gathered outside the UN's headquarters in the capital of Bishkek to inform Ban Ki-moon of the media situation.[18] A small group of protesters then moved to the center of town, but were stopped by police.[19]
Some people in the media are already suggesting that the riots in the country and the opposition claim of having taken over the government are akin to the Tulip Revolution in 2005.[20]
There is also a debate regarding the continuing US military presence in Kyrgyzstan.[21]
Russia backed his government until March 2010. The Eurasian Daily Monitor reported on April 1 that, for two weeks, the Kremlin has used the Russian mass media to run a negative campaign against Bakiyev.[22] Russia controls much of the media in Kyrgyzstan.[22] The campaign sought to associate Bakiyev and his son, Maxim Bakiyev, with an allegedly corrupt businessman whose company had worked in a government project. It quoted that an arrest warrant had been issued in early March by Italian judge Aldo Morgigni for Eugene Gourevitch, a Kyrgyz-American who was accused of defrauding Telecom Italia.[23] Gourevitch was at the time the managing director of a consulting agency that advised Kyrgyzstan's Development Fund, which in turn is managed by the Central Agency run by Maxim.[24] The government soon began closing independent news outlets that reported on Gourevitch affair. Two newspapers were shut down on March 18. Radio Azattyk, the Kyrgyz-language service of RFE/RL, went off the air shortly afterward. The opposition newspaper Forum was shut on March 31, and the independent website Stan.tv had its equipment removed on April 1.[18]
The sudden campaign coincided with Bakiyev's failure to carry out Russia's various demands related to things such as military bases.[22] On April 1 Russia also imposed duties on energy exports to Kyrgyzstan, claiming that a customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan had forced it. It influenced fuel and transport prices immediately, and reportedly led to a massive protest in Talas on April 6.[25]
Vladimir Putin denied any Russian involvement and said the incident had personally caught him "off guard" and that "Neither Russia nor your humble servant nor Russian officials have anything to do with these events".[26] Michael McFaul, a senior United States White House adviser on Russian affairs stated in Prague that the seizure of power by the Kyrgyz opposition was not anti-American in nature, and was not a Russian backed coup.[27] However, Omurbek Tekebayev, who is in charge of constitutional matters in the new government, said: Russia played its role in ousting Bakiyev. You've seen the level of Russia's joy when they saw Bakiyev gone. Furthermore, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, was the first foreign leader to recognise Roza Otunbayeva as the new Kyrgyz leader, and rang her soon after she announced she was in charge, while the deputy head of the interim Kyrgyz government, Almazbek Atambayev, flew to Moscow on April 9 for consultation with unspecified Russian government officials, ITAR-Tass news agency reported.[28]
Vice-Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky stated that the United States was involved in events in Kyrgyzstan to gain control of Manas Air Base.[29]
Stratfor reported on April 13 "Given its strategic location, control of Kyrgyzstan offers the ability to pressure Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. Kyrgyzstan is thus a critical piece in Russia’s overall plan to resurge into its former Soviet sphere".[30]
On April 6 in the western city of Talas approximately 1,000 protesters stormed the government headquarters and briefly took government workers hostage. Security forces retook the building in the early evening, only to be quickly forced out again by protesters.[31][32] Two prominent opposition leaders, Omurbek Tekebayev and Almazbek Atambayev, were arrested by Kyrgyz authorities. In Bishkek, a crowd of about 500 protesters began to gather around a bus stop in an industrial area, with several speakers making speeches about the events in Talas. Riot Police armed with batons, shields, and police dogs moved towards the crowd in a rectangular-shaped formation. The police rounded up the protesters and pushed them towards the buses. A large group of protesters then tore through police ranks and ran across the street, grabbed rocks, and attacked police, resulting in a massive fight, during which some policemen lost their helmets and batons.[33]
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 armored vehicles and numerous automatic weapons. The protest group, now numbering between three and five thousand, then moved towards the center of town and into Ala-Too Square, where gunshots and stun grenades could be heard, and protesters were seen fleeing.[31][32][34] Protesters in Bishkek filled Ala-Too Square and surrounded the White House, the office of Kyrgyzstan's president.[35][36] Police began using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades to disperse protesters.[37] 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.[38] Witnesses reported that both protesters and riot police were wounded during the clashes, and at least forty-one protesters were killed.[39] A state of emergency was declared, as well as a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am.[38][40]
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.[41] The headquarters for KTR, Kyrgyzstan's main television broadcaster, was also taken over by protesters.[32] 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.[42] 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.[5][7] There were no reported demonstrations in Osh.[38]
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.[43][44][45] There were also reports that the government of the Issyk-Kul region had been taken over by members of opposition parties.[46] There was an information blackout throughout much of the country, as TV stations went off the air and both phones and internet became unreliable.[31]
There were conflicting reports about the fate of Kyrgyz Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongantiyev. Some reports say he was being held hostage by protesters in Talas, while other reports say he was killed.[47][48][49] The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry denied reports of his death, calling them "fictitious".[50] There were also reports saying he was badly battered but had survived. A reporter from Russia's Ferghana Information Agency said he had witnessed protesters brutally beating the minister.[51] Kongantiyev was later shown badly beaten, but alive. Opposition leaders announced that they had formed a new provisional government headed by Roza Otunbayeva.[52]
President Bakiyev, who was confirmed by the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Defense to be in his residence in Osh,[53] has acknowledged that he currently has no power to influence events in the country, though he refuses to resign his post.[54]
Even with the opposition reporting itself in control of the police and the army,[54] residents in Bishkek began forming volunteer militias to stave off marauders.
The interim government announced it would hold on to power for six months, when presidential elections would be held.[55]
A few days later Bakiyev commented from his hometown of Osh that he would not resign and called for the UN to send troops to the country to restore order. A rally in his hometown was followed by another bigger rally giving him support in his quest to return to the seat of government. In response the interim Interior Minister said an arrest warrant would be issued for him while his immunity was removed.[56] On April 13, the Bakiyev said he would resign should his security and that of his family and entourage be guaranteed. He said "In what case would I resign? First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property. Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured."[57] The interim government said it could only guarantee his security should he resign and leave the country. Tension mounted in the country when the interim government threatened to hunt down Bakiyev while simultaneously offering an olive branch should he go to into exile. In response Bakiyev said "Let them try to seize me. Let them try to kill me. I believe this will lead to such a great deal of bloodshed which no one will be able to justify."[58] During a nuclear summit in Washington the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggested Kyrgyzstan was in the throes of a civil war and that it could turn into a "second Afghanistan" if the political deadlock was not resolved. He said that "The risk of Kyrgyzstan breaking apart - into the south and the north - really exist[ed]."[57] On April 14, 2010, interim leader Roza Otunbayeva announced that President Bakiyev, his defense 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 Janybek Bakiyev, eldest son Marat Bakiyev and former Prime Minister Daniar Usenov.[59]
On April 15 at a rally by Bakiyev in front of a 1,000 supporters gunshots were heard, although Bakiyev was reported to have safely left the scene. Some claimed that the firing came from his own bodyguards in order to keep the peace and avoid a confrontation with opponents.[60] Later in the day later Bakiyev was reported to have flown into exile to the Kazakhstani city of Taraz. it was said that he would continue negotiations on a settlement to the crisis from exile. The interim government responded to this by calling his departure a "deportation," saying he had allegedly submitted a request to resign amid reports indicating that Baktybek Kaliyev, a former defence minister, had been arrested. The interim government also said it would seek Bakiyev's transfer to a Kyrgyz or international court for trial at a later date. Kazakhstan, as the chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, confirmed Bakiyev's departure saying it was an important step towards preventing civil war. It added that joint efforts between themselves and Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama had fostered such an agreement.[61] Bakiyev submitted a hand-written resignation letter saying "I tender my resignation in these tragic days as I understand the full scale of my responsibility for the future of the Kyrgyz people." The interim president allegedly said "he had become a source of instability ... [that] they could no longer tolerate that."[62] She added that most of his entourage was still in the country and that she would press ahead with bringing Bakyiev to trial.[63] On April 20, the Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko said his country had afforded Bakiyev and three members of his family "the protection of our state, and personally of the president."[64] On April 21, in a statement from Minsk, Bakiyev said he still considers himself the country's president and pledged to do all he can to return the country to its "constitutional field."[65] He then upped the ante by saying, "I do not recognise my resignation. Nine months ago the people of Kyrgyzstan elected me their president and there is no power that can stop me. Only death can stop me." He then called on the international community not to support the interim government. "Everyone must know the bandits who are trying to take power are the executors of an external force and have no legitimacy. I call on leaders of the international community: do not set a precedent and do not recognise this gang as the legitimate authorities."[66] Russia consequently rejected this assertion on the grounds that he had already tendered his resignation saying "this document cannot be rejected by a verbal statement."[67] He also accused the Russians of being annoyed with his allowing the Manas air base to continue operating for the Americans and NATO to supply their forces in the Afghan war.[68] On April 23, Bakiyev backtracked on his vow to return to power, but claimed his resignation is invalid because the new government is failing to protect his family as was promised.[69]
With threats to the Manas airbase and its operatibility by foreign governments having abated, the interim government said "Kyrgyzstan is extending by one year the validity of the agreement with the United States over the Manas transit centre."[70]
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.
The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed its deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in southern Kyrgyzstan and called on the Kyrgyz authorities to do everything in their power to protect their citizens, restore order and ensure respect for the rule of law.,[71][72]
Following the Kyrgyzstani parliamentary election, 2010, the pro-Bakiyev Ata-Zhurt party won a plurality as it campaigned to roll back the new constitution and bring Bakiyev back from exile.
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