Acquittals Reversed For Opposition Kyrgyz Lawmakers

Kyrgyz opposition deputies Kamchybek Tashiev (center), Sadyr Japarov (left), and Talant Mamytov address a press conference in Bishkek following their appeal in June

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court has reversed the acquittals of three opposition lawmakers and found them guilty of attempting to overthrow the government.

Late on August 6, the Supreme Court also ordered the Central Election Commission to withdraw their parliamentary mandates.

The court also ruled that the three leaders of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Fatherland) party will not have to return to prison.

In March, the three were convicted on the charges and sentenced to prison terms between one year and 18 months.

But in June, Kamchybek Tashiev, Sadyr Japarov, and Talant Mamytov were acquitted, shortly after their supporters assaulted the judges during a court session.

The Bishkek city prosecutor appealed their acquittal.

They were arrested in October 2012 for their role in violent antigovernment protests in Bishkek.

Japarov told RFE/RL on August 7 that the Supreme Court's decision was politically motivated and vowed to continue his opposition activities, including acts of civil disobedience.