Today saw a pro-Kulov meeting on Ploshchad Ala-Too to add to the anti-Kulov protests that started on the old square opposite the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) on Saturday following the killing of Tynychbek Akmatbaev on Thursday (see previous post for details). Supporters of the murdered deputy have been joined by supporters of Bayaman Erkinbaev, who was shot dead last month. They hold Kulov responsible for Akmatbaev’s death and are demanding his resignation.

The pro-Kulov demonstration had been organised by Ar-Namys, a political party of which Kulov is the leader. The mood was largely peaceful, apart from one incident when the militsia, who had mostly been content to stand by and watch, waded in to the crowd and removed two men. Later in the afternoon Kulov’s supporters send a delegation to the anti-Kulov demonstration to try and start negotiations, but were met with accusations of trying to create a “political show” (full details from Obshchestvennij Reiting).

It is still unknown what will happen to Kulov - efforts to discuss the matter in the Zhogorku Kenesh were postponed yesterday due to a lack of deputies, and it looks like the Parliament is not in quorum today either. However, concerns are growing that instability could increase once again, not least as similar anti-Kulov protests have also taken place in Osh.

Both photos by the author. There’s some more photos over at Mental Wanderlust of the 2 separate meetings.