AKIPRESS.COM - A rally in support of ex-MP Sadyr Japarov and ex-MP Omurbek Tekebayev is held outside the Supreme Court in Bishkek.

Hundreds of Tekebayev’s supporters led by Ata Meken faction parliamentarians marched to the rally place by 10.30 am.

Protesters demand release of Omurbek Tekebayev, Sadyr Japarov and former Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Duishon Chotonov.

Tekebayev was sentenced to 8 years in prison and got his property confiscated after former Russian State Duma member Leonid Mayevsky witnessed that he gave $1 million to Tekebayev to obtain shares in the mobile company Alfa Telecom.

Maevsky himself was taken into custody in 2018 on suspicion of extorting $37.5 million in exchange for unpublicizing defamatory information, according to Russian media.

Sadyr Japarov was arrested on March 25, 2017 on suspicion of the organization of violent protests in October 2013 in Issyk-Kul region.

His detention sparked protests and clashes between his supporters and police on March 25, 2017 resulting in the arrest of dozens of people.