Major Military Ammunition Discovered at Almazbek Atambayev's House

The law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan have discovered 11 units of weapons and military ammunition at the residence of former President Almazbek Atambayev, following a raid conducted with the aim of his arrest, according to TASS, citing the press service of the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"On August 8, 2019, in the village of Koy-Tash in the Alamudun district, law enforcement officers arrested former President A. Atambayev and during a search of his house, the police discovered and seized various types of firearms and ammunition… A total of 11 units of weapons and military ammunition were seized," the statement said.

Authorities clarified that among the seized items were a sniper rifle, 2 carbines, 4 pistols, and 4 rifles. Also confiscated was a weapon that had been taken from the special forces of the CSTO, which included 7 units of 12 mm caliber pneumatic rifles designed to fire rubber bullets.

Former President Almazbek Atambayev was arrested on Thursday at his residence in Koy-Tash village in the Chuy region, following a nearly day-long special operation. This operation had begun on Wednesday when the special forces of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee attempted the first arrest of Atambayev, who had been stripped of his immunity and was accused of corruption. Supporters of the former leader, who has repeatedly denied all accusations against him, resisted, resulting in the death of one special forces member and injuries to 98 others.

Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov announced that Atambayev had violated the constitution by showing armed resistance to the security forces. The operation to arrest Atambayev involved several thousand police officers and special forces personnel, leading to the capture of the former state leader at his residence in Koy-Tash. Atambayev was then transferred to Bishkek, to the main investigative department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and subsequently to the National Security Committee of the country.