Kyrgyz authorities say they have thwarted a terrorist plot by unidentified “members of banned extremist groups” targeting the ongoing presidential election campaign.
“The suspects intended to carry out a terrorist act during...the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement on September 22.
The statement said that police and intelligence services have recently conducted several raids in the northern Chui Oblast, where they confiscated weapons, “extremist” literature, and “components that can be used to make an improvised explosive device.”
According to the statement, three suspects have been arrested during the raids in Chui’s Tokmok district.
The “extremist” literature included books, flyers, and audio and video materials, the statement said.
Authorities have opened a criminal probe, it added.
Kyrgyzstan holds a presidential election on October 15.