Kyrgyzstan's former military prosecutor Kubatbek Kozhonaliyev has been arrested over an alleged coup attempt, his lawyer said on Monday.
Last Wednesday demonstrators in the country’s capital Bishkek demanded the nationalization of the Kumtor goldfield, and then tried to storm parliament, throwing rocks at security forces. Riot police broke up the demonstration, in which 12 were injured.
The Kyzgyz Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case on charges of attempting a coup, which carries a sentence of 12 to 20 years in prison.
Three MPs have been arrested for allegedly urging the rioters to storm parliament and the presidential administration building.
Kozhonaliyev was detained during the rally, his lawyer Azizbek Turdaliyev said, adding his client had not incited violence.
“He was passing the microphone to the speakers at a peaceful rally, which is not a crime,” Turdaliyev said.
