Former Kyrgyz president sentenced in absentia to 11.5 years

The Pervomaysk District Court of Bishkek found former President Almazbek Atambayev guilty of a number of crimes and sentenced him in absentia to 11.5 years in prison.

Atambayev was found guilty of illegally acquiring land plots in the village of Koy-Tash, Chui region, corruption, and organizing mass riots in 2019.

In addition, the former president's property will be confiscated and he will be deprived of all state awards.

Several other high-ranking officials were also convicted in the criminal case, including former head of the presidential administration Faril Niyazov and former parliamentarian Irina Karamushkina. Niyazov was sentenced to 7 years and 8 months in prison, and Karamushkina to 7.5 years.