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Kyrgyzstan election: Protests erupt in Bishkek over vote-rigging claims Kyrgyzstan election: Protests in Bishkek over vote-rigging claims
(about 5 hours later)
Protests have erupted in Kyrgyzstan over allegations of vote-rigging in Sunday's parliamentary election. Protesters and riot police clashed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after allegations of vote-rigging in Sunday's parliamentary election.
The capital Bishkek saw the largest protest while rallies were also held elsewhere in the ex-Soviet republic. Police used stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters in Ala-Too square, before following them into nearby streets.
Police have used force to disperse demonstrators, including stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon. About 120 people have been injured, half of whom were law enforcement, the health ministry said in a statement.
Only four parties out of 16 passed the 7% threshold for entry into parliament, three of which have close ties to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Several people are in serious condition but there have been no deaths, it said.
International monitors have said the claims of vote-buying and intimidation are "credible" and a cause for "serious concern". In Sunday's election only four parties out of 16 passed the 7% threshold for entry into parliament, three of which have close ties to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
Meanwhile the country's opposition parties have declared that they will not recognise the results of the election. Groups close to the president have been accused of vote-buying and voter intimidation - claims international monitors say are "credible" and a cause for "serious concern".
Opposition candidates are calling on the Central Electoral Commission in Kyrgyzstan to cancel the results of the vote. On Monday, 12 opposition parties jointly declared that they would not recognise the results of the vote.
One candidate, Ryskeldi Mombekov, told a crowd of more than 5,000 protesters: "The president promised to oversee honest elections. He didn't keep his word." Later, President Jeenbekov's office said that he would meet on Tuesday with leaders from all 16 parties that competed in the election, in a bid to defuse tensions.
Mr Mombekov's party, Ata Meken, had been confident of entering parliament, but in the end it was one of the eight parties that missed the threshold. Opposition candidates also called on the Central Electoral Commission to cancel the results of the election.
Ata Meken leader Janar Akaev has been injured in the protests. One candidate, Ryskeldi Mombekov, told a crowd of more than 5,000 protesters on Monday: "The president promised to oversee honest elections. He didn't keep his word."
Protesters are also calling on President Jeenbekov to resign. Mr Mombekov's party, Ata Meken, had been confident of entering parliament, but in the end it was one of the eight parties that missed the threshold. Ata Meken leader Janar Akaev suffered a leg injury in the protests on Monday.
Thomas Boserup, head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's election observation mission, said in a briefing that although the vote had been "generally well organised", allegations of vote buying were a "serious concern". Protesters were also calling on President Jeenbekov to resign.
Thomas Boserup, head of the election observation mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said in a briefing that although the vote had been "generally well organised", allegations of vote buying were a "serious concern".
How the protests escalatedHow the protests escalated
Almaz Tchoroev, BBC News, BishkekAlmaz Tchoroev, BBC News, Bishkek
The police are using water cannon, stun grenades and tear gas on demonstrators. The police have been using water cannon, stun grenades and tear gas on demonstrators.
They first used force to disperse protesters in the main square, but as the crowds have moved into other streets in Bishkek, the police have continued to go after them. They first used force to disperse protesters in the main square, but as the crowds moved into other streets in Bishkek, police continued to go after them.
Reports are also coming in of injuries - both among the protesters and the police. One opposition leader, Janar Akaev, is among those injured.Reports are also coming in of injuries - both among the protesters and the police. One opposition leader, Janar Akaev, is among those injured.
There were about 5,000 people protesting in Ala-Too Square, and the demonstration was largely peaceful for most of the day. But at about 20:10 local time (14:10 GMT), a smaller group of protesters splintered off and went to the parliamentary building, known as the White House. When they got there they reportedly tried to break into the gates of the building. There were about 5,000 people protesting in Ala-Too Square, and the demonstration was largely peaceful for most of the day. But at about 20:10 local time (14:10 GMT), a smaller group of protesters splintered off and went to the parliament building, known as the White House. When they got there, they reportedly tried to break through the gates.
This is what triggered the police response. The police had said that they wouldn't interfere in the protests as long as they stayed peaceful - but this was seen as a provocative act.This is what triggered the police response. The police had said that they wouldn't interfere in the protests as long as they stayed peaceful - but this was seen as a provocative act.
The two leading parties, which got a quarter of the vote each, were Birimdik and Mekenim Kyrgyzstan.The two leading parties, which got a quarter of the vote each, were Birimdik and Mekenim Kyrgyzstan.
President Jeenbekov's younger brother, Asylbek Jeenbekov, is in Birimdik. President Jeenbekov's younger brother, Asylbek Jeenbekov, is a member of Birimdik.
Mekenim Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, is seen as being closely connected to the powerful Matraimov family. The family's figurehead, Rayimbek Matraimov, was the target of anti-corruption protests last year and is believed to have helped finance Mr Jeenbekov's successful presidential campaign in 2017.Mekenim Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, is seen as being closely connected to the powerful Matraimov family. The family's figurehead, Rayimbek Matraimov, was the target of anti-corruption protests last year and is believed to have helped finance Mr Jeenbekov's successful presidential campaign in 2017.
Late on Monday Birimdik announced that it would be open to a re-run of Sunday's election, and called on other parties that had crossed the 7% threshold to do the same.