March 2 protest in Bishkek LIVE

AKIPRESS.COM - Supporters of the former MP Sadyr Japarov started gathering in central square of Bishkek today for a peaceful protest. Latest updates are below
By 11:00 am, there were about 100 people on the main square. According to one of the participants Bakay Kashkarbayev, the supporters of Japarov came from Issyk-Kul region on March 1. Those gathered are demanding to release Japarov from prison, tighten the work on borders over coronavirus situation.
"We are calling for change and development. The main requirement of the people is to release Japarov. We demand judicial reforms and tighten the control over coronavirus situation," the participants say.
By 11:50, the number of protesters reached about 400 people.
Japarov was sentenced to 10 years in prison for hostage taking by a group of persons using violence by the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan on 30 April 2019. His prison term began on 25 March 2017 and will end on 5 October 2026.
The protesters are demanding:
- to hold fair and open elections;
- to introduce public control of authorities;
- to confiscate and return to the state of objects privatized through corruption;
- to lustrate public servants;
- to stop dividing people on a socio-economic basis, reduce fines and tariffs;
- to revise agreements that were concluded on development of deposits in favor of the state;
- to reject the liberal ideology of the West and form a national one;
- to release people that were convicted of unfair court decisions;
- to strengthen border protection, ensure state, economic, and environmental security. - to stop illegal entry of citizens into the country;
- to develop a program for development of regions, provide citizens with jobs, determine ways to solve social problems;
- to develop a draft Constitution and submit it to a referendum.
12:25: the number of protesters exceeded 500 people. The official part of the rally will start at 13:00.
Organizers voiced a number of demands, including the main one to release Sadyr Japarov.
12:45: the participants asked journalists to move away from protesters.
12:50: Kanybek Osmonaliyev joined the rally. Former MP Jyldyzkan Joldosheva also joined the rally. She is celebrating her 60th birthday today.
Joldosheva said that she was congratulated by President and called on the protesters not to succumb to provocations.
13:20: the protesters asked to let 9 elders in to the White House.
The number of participants of the rally is increasing. Activists are delivering their speeches.
Ten participants of the rally headed to the White House in support of Sadyr Japarov.
One of the speakers at the rally said that the supporters will not stop the protest until the ten return from the White House.
Sabyr Japarov, brother of Sadyr Japarov, entered the control point of the White House.
14:10: about 900 people are participating in the rally. Image from the drone:
15:35: Head of the department on work with citizens of government's office Sayakbay Subanov came out to meet with Japarov's supporters. He invited the protesters to his cabinet, however, the protesters refused to do so saying it is difficult for one of the elders to walk.
Then Subanov said that a commission is considering Sadyr Japarov's issue and the results will be reported within 3 days.
Sabyr Japarov told those gathered that the commission promised to report about its decision within 3 days and offered to disperse. The speakers called on the protesters to stay calm and not to succumb to provocations. However, some protesters refused to disperse.
Protesters were distributed bread:
15:40: Attorney of Emilbel Kaptagayev, Sharabidin Toktosunov came to the rally. According to him, Kaptagayev, who was reported to be taken hostage by Sadyr Japarov, did not accuse Japarov. "I have a letter dated 2017, where he [Kaptagayev] asks to release Japarov".
By 16:00, about 1500 people wereprotesting.
Sabyr Japarov asked the protesters to disperse. He said the president's office pledged to provide answer to the list of demands of protesters in 3 days.
Some of the protesters were heard shouting to head to the White House.
By 18:40, special forces were mobilized to the Ala-Too Square to disperse the protesters. Crowds were gone from the square.