Former Kyrgyz president sentenced in absentia to over 11 years

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev was sentenced in absentia to more than 11 years in prison, Sputnik Kyrgyzstan reported Tuesday.

Atambayev, who led the country from 2011 to 2017, was convicted of unlawfully acquiring land in the village of Koi-Tash in the Chui region, involvement in corruption during the renovation of the Bishkek thermal power plant, and inciting mass unrest in Koi-Tash.

He is currently living abroad.

Atambayev was originally detained on Aug. 8, 2019 following a raid on his residence in Koi-Tash.

In June 2020, he received a prison sentence of 11 years and 2 months. However, in November of the same year, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan annulled the lower court ruling and ordered a retrial.