Ryskeldi Satke    

On july 16th members of the United Opposition Movement (UOM) of Kyrgyzstan Emilbek Kaptagaev and Ismail Isakov (former head of the kyrgyz defense ministry) publicly announced at a press-conference Kyrgyz Government widespread actions against leaders,members and activists of the UOM around the country.Similar scenario has been played by the authorities against the main UOM candidate Almazbek Atambaev campaign activists as well.Due to the current political situation in Kyrgyzstan leader of the opposition "Uluu Birimdik" party,Emilbek Kaptagaev has made a statement regarding President Bakiev intimidation policies.

Emilbek Kaptagaev has stated that upcoming presidential elections brought unprecedented level of intimidation,harassment,thr eats and physical attacks against opponents of the President Bakiev by the Government of Kyrgyz Republic never seen before.According to his statement,Kaptagaev has been kidnapped on june 20th by unknown individuals.One of them was wearing a kyrgyz police uniform.Kidnappers transported a victim outside the Bishkek city where he has been brutally beaten.On july 13th Kaptagaev has received a telephone call from unknown person warning him on further complications if he'll continue to promote opposition candidate Atambaev.

Emilbek Kaptagaev has made a further statement:" After july 13th phone call I understood who is behind these actions and I could only name a current Bakiev regime.Government has interested in shutting me down.Only kyrgyz authorities can sanction kidnappings,beatings and assassinations of the UOM leaders and members.I openly state that I'll fight current regime to the end.I'm not afraid of death.God's will.I also want to clearify that if something happens to me or to my closest ones,the blame will be on President Bakiev and his associates.The regime uses total terror as a political tool in the upcoming presidential elections with bets on physical liquidation and mob connections.Today,every single political UOM figure is in danger.If Bakiev won't be able to put opponents in prison then we can expect more political assassinations."

Kaptagaev also mentioned assassinated former head of the Bakiev administration Medetbek Sadyrkulov who as Kaptagaev pointed out has become a victim of own decision to establish a dialogue between all political factions in Kyrgyzstan and Government. Sadyrkulov eventually recognized his role in creating the current political power structure which is why Sadyrkulov wanted to change things, stated Kaptagaev

Ismail Isakov,one of the prominent members of UOM and former head of the defense ministry has said:"Government has a role in witch hunting against us.Our contacts within government agencies have alerted us on existing plan for physical measures up to assassinations of Omurbek Tekebaev (leader of the opposition party Ata Meken), Bakyt Beshimov (leader of the Social Democratic Party), Azimbek Beknazarov (outspoken opponent of the Bakiev presidency) including me as well by poisoning,planting automobile and airplane accidents.There are many facts we collected during our presidential campaign.Recently,we have met voters near Bishkek city where we have been warned on possible attacks by unknown group armed with knives.We can't simply look away from all this which is happening in kyrgyz society.They are using kidnapping,killings,beating s,harassment and intimidation so widely that no one is safe right now.What's then? We must stand up and say no more to these practices" said Ismail Isakov.

Kyrgyzstan is closing in next week to the highly controversial presidential elections already.Experts predict that current president will stay in power after july 23rd. NGO's and human right watchdog organizations have been showing concerns over practices of the current Kyrgyz Government on freedom of speech and safety of the freelance journalists.There has been a number of independent newspaper joints closures initiated by the Government.Political factions opposed to the President of Kyrgyzstan have been repeatedly raising the questionable tactics of the Bakiev election campaign which heavily relied on administrative resources used against the opponents.

 http://en.jetigen.org/artic le/2009/16/07/jetigenorgkyr gyz-government-steps-attack s-against-opponents-prior-j uly-23rd