Uzbekistan Starts Paying Compensation For Sokh Violence

An overturned car from the Sokh violence

Kyrgyz media is reporting that Uzbekistan has started paying compensation to some Kyrgyz citizens for property damage incurred during the violence in and around Uzbekistan's Sokh district earlier this month.

Kyrgyz Interior Ministry spokesman Nurjigit Kadyrbekov confirmed the Uzbek payouts.

The damages happened on January 5-6 when Sokh residents disrupted an attempt to connect electric power lines to a new Kyrgyz border post, sparking clashes with Kyrgyz authorities.

Nearly 40 Kyrgyz citizens were taken hostage, but all were released the following day.

Kyrgyz media reported Uzbekistan has paid a total of $29,600 to seven Kyrgyz citizens whose vehicles were destroyed.

Three other vehicles were returned to their Kyrgyz owners.

Uzbekistan's Sokh district is surrounded by Kyrgyzstan's Batken Province and all border crossings have remained closed since the violence.

Based on reporting by AKIpress, 24.kg, and Kabar