Former president convicted and handed an 11.5-year sentence, which will be served in absentia
In the heart of Bishkek, the city's court has issued a staggering verdict against former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev - a 11-year and six-month prison sentence, issued in absentia, due to the Koi-Tash incidents. The chaos of attempting to detain Atambayev transformed into fierce clashes between special forces and his loyal supporters. Along with the seizure of his property and the revocation of his state awards, the court also sentenced several high-ranking officials from his administration.
The turmoil that ignited the criminal case took place on August 7, 2019, in Koi-Tash, a village near Bishkek. The "Alpha" special forces group of the State National Security Committee (GKNB) of Kyrgyzstan aimed to detain Atambayev, causing a brutal confrontation with his supporters. Over 200 people, including 91 officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and 40 GKNB officers, were left injured.
Atambayev served as Kyrgyzstan's President from 2011 to 2017. His immunity was revoked in June 2019. After his arrest, multiple criminal cases surfaced. In June 2020, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek convicted Atambayev, sentencing him to 11 years and two months in prison with the confiscation of his property for the illegal release of criminal authority Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
However, Atambayev was later acquitted of corruption and abuse of power. He was also found not guilty of organizing mass disorders in October 2020 due to the absence of a crime.
Despite these acquittals, Atambayev's case was reviewed due to new circumstances. The court granted him permission to leave Kyrgyzstan for medical treatment. On the evening of February 14, 2023, he was released from prison and departed the next day, bound for a foreign residence.
Fast forward to June 2025, and Atambayev faced another sentencing – between 11 years and three months to 11 years and six months, according to various sources. This verdict, a culmination of high-profile trials revolving around the 2019 Koi-Tash events, corruption allegations related to the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant, and numerous other charges of corruption and illicit enrichment, now hangs over him. With his current residence outside of Kyrgyzstan, the enforcement of this sentence remains uncertain.
Elena Volodina, RIA "Novy Day" © 2025.
In light of the new sentencing, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek has handed Atambayev another prison term of between 11 years and three months to 11 years and six months, which is related to various charges including war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice. This verdict, stemming from high-profile trials revolving around the 2019 Koi-Tash events, corruption allegations related to the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant, and numerous other charges of corruption and illicit enrichment, now hangs over Atambayev, despite his current residence outside of Kyrgyzstan, causing uncertainty with the enforcement of this sentence.
