Two Kyrgyz Opposition Activists Jailed
July 15, 2009
A Bishkek court has sentenced two oppositionists to 15-day jail terms for their alleged connection to a scandal while campaigning for presidential candidate Almaz Atambaev on July 12, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
The court found Bakyt Kalpetov and Mirlan Toktoshev, members of the opposition United Popular Movement, guilty of hooliganism.
The opposition said that the two men didn't act as hooligans but rather tried to calm down some pro-presidential activists who were shouting during a meeting of Atambaev officials with locals near a busy Bishkek market on July 12.
Kalpetov told RFE/RL that he is innocent and will appeal the verdict to the Bishkek city court.