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30 arrested for 'attempted coup' in Kyrgyzstan, confirms official

30 arrested for 'attempted coup' in Kyrgyzstan, confirms official

Kyrgyzstan flag

More than30people accused of acoupplot have beenarrestedinKyrgyzstan, the national security service said Tuesday.

The impoverished Central Asian country with ties to Russia and China has seen three presidents resign over political crises fuelled by corruption, nepotism and disputed votes since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The GKNB state security agency said it dismantled the preparations of a group of people planning to organise riots "in order to seize power by force", adding that more than30people werearrestedon Monday.

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The arrests come just days after a visit toKyrgyzstanby European Council President Charles Michel, during which President Sadyr Japarov pledged his "readiness to work hand in hand with the European Union".

While this mountainous country has long enjoyed a relatively free press and political pluralism in a region where expression remains restricted, NGOs are denouncing an increase in pressure against the media and civil society.

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