Kyrgyzstan makes arrests over suspected coup attempt ahead of local elections

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Police in Kyrgyzstan have arrested and charged seven people on suspicion of organising mass riots to overthrow the government ahead of local elections on Sunday, Reuters reported citing the interior ministry of the country.

The interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday the individuals were suspected of using sports games and other competitions in the capital Bishkek to foment a riot.

"Under the guise of national sports games, they intended to call for acts of violence, were going to put forward unconstitutional calls, (and) destabilise the situation for the further violent seizure of power on November 17," Reuters quoted the ministry as saying.

Those detained include several foreign nationals and a former deputy prosecutor general.

Authorities seized weapons and ammunition from the alleged riot organisers, the police said, as well as 1,000 bottles of vodka "to get the crowd drunk", 2,000 bottles of water, a ton of rice, and a horse intended for slaughter.

Kyrgyzstan is set to hold elections for local councils in several districts on Nov. 17.