Supporters of businessman Urmat Baryktabasov will gather on August 5 in Bishkek for a ‘kurultai’: a popular assembly, which will “discuss a development strategy for Kyrgyzstan.” The Metropolitan Police have strengthened in preparation for the event.
Final information regarding the kurultai was confirmed by Baryktabasov on August 3 – two days before the event’s scheduled date – in which the businessman asked supporters to gather in the center of Bishkek. The information was published on the website of his political party ‘Meken Tuu’ translated from the Kyrgyz as ‘flag of my homeland‘.
Up until August 4 authorities have refrained from commenting on the meeting. The representative of the Information and Communication Department of the Interior Ministry called information about the event “rumours” in an interview with Kloop.kg on August 3.
On Kyrgyzstan’s most popular internet forum, Diesel, threads concerning the proposed meeting were closed because of “lack of official confirmation.”
On August 4, the threads re-opened and the head of Internal Affairs in the capital, Zarylbek Rysalieyv, said at a meeting with reporters that his officers wiould be working at “increased capacity”.
Baryktabasov plans to assemble his supporters in the Old Square in Bishkek, near the buildings of the Jogorku Kenesh and the American University of Central Asia.
The theme of his ‘kurultai’ has been revealed as an “assessment of the actions” of the new authorities in Kyrgyzstan, finding the perpetrators of the June clashes in Osh, and investigating the loss of “one billion dollars”.
According to Baryktabasov, Kyrgyzstan “lost” money because of the closure of borders with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, a shortfall in fuel duty from Russia and the collapse of the tourist season as a consequence of events in Osh. In all of these matters the businessman deems the provisional authorities guilty.
The organizers of the rally expect “about ten thousand people” to participate.
Concern about disturbances
For Bishkek residents, the main concern is of possible disturbances that could result from Baryktabasov’s rally. This was the main line of argument among opponents of the rally on Diesel.
Users recalled that the businessman from Balykchy had already held rallies in the capital in June 2005 – in opposition to then acting president Kurmanbek Bakiev.
His supporters tried to seize government buildings, but they were prevented from doing so by the police.
“[In the year 2005] there was a drunken attempt to capture [the Government House], there were many imported and paid for ‘demonstrators’. Then they were driven across town,” remembers a forum user Svyazist.
Supporters of Baryktabasov on Diesel criticized the interim government in their “struggle for a piece of the pie” and promised that their leader would change Kyrgyzstan’s economic policy.
“[Baryktabasov] will reveal all his secrets. But only then. All in good time,” wrote Diesel user azamatix.
Background
A native of Kyrgyzstan, Urmat Baryktabasov was a long time resident of the Republic of Kazakhastan. According to the official website of his party, he began working in the neighbouring republic in 1995. His most prominent post was as “Chairman of the Holding Board for the Astana State Service”.
In 2005, Baryktabasov was denied the right to participate in presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan, his Kazakh citizenship the reason provided by the then interim government. After the unsuccessful attempt to capture the Government House, a criminal case was filed against him for “an attempt to seize power.”
In Kazakhstan, Baryktabasov, according to the official site of the Financial Police of the Republic, is wanted for violating Article 176 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan – “embezzlement of property entrusted to others.”
Screenshot from the website of Financial Police of Kazakhstan
The Finpol website also confirms his Kazakh nationality, and even indicates the number of his passport.
The businessman returned to Kyrgyzstan in 2010 after a five-year absence. He has declared himself in favour of “a worthy leader” for the country.
“If we have chosen the path of prosperity, we must choose a worthy leader, who can restore justice and provide impetus for the development of the country in the shortest possible time,” he is quoted as saying in a July interview with the Bishkek- based newspaper Reporter.
Poll: Do you support Urmat Baryktabasov?
* No (82.0%, 59 Votes)
* Yes (18.0%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 72
Rocking the boat
But human rights groups accuse him of “rocking the boat”. The head of the Coalition For Democracy and Civil Society, Dinara Oshurahunova, feared that any “shock” could “result in tragedy” following the recent ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan.
“The rallies are to help him? When the whole country trembles with fear at every rumour, meeting,” remarked Oshurahunova in an interview with Kloop.kg.
Human rights activists have challenged Baryktabasov to provide Kyrgyzstan with “real help”.
“It would be better to use his money for the re-construction of Osh. Or to donate to the homes of the victims and their children,” says Oshurahunova.
In turn, the criticism levelled against the current government has been brought on by itself, says the human rights activist.
“[The government] suffers the charges because they do not work transparently and openly. If earlier, all matters were submitted to parliament and the public learned about it, then now [the government] and President Otunbayeva have to meet with their advisory board,” considers Oshurahunova.
“Baryktabasov is not the first to raise such issues, he has simply picked up from various other sources, [the issues] which are constantly on everyone’s lips.”
The government itself was unavailable for comment on August 4.
In the photo: the last mass rallies held in Bishkek on May 12, 2010, when supporters of ex-mayor Nariman Tyuleev gathered in the city’s Old Square.
Photo: Timur Rayymkulov
Author: Bektur Iskender