The construction of a garment factory near Bishkek to employ relatives of more than 80 Kyrgyz people killed during anti-government protests in April 2010 began earlier this month, according to factory construction foreman Jenish Nusubaliev, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported.
The unrest toppled then-President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was later sentenced in absentia to several lengthy prison terms, including life. He fled to Belarus, where he has now been living for 14 years.
President Sadyr Japarov said last week that “individuals who suffered” during the protests had asked Bakiev for help to build the factory, which is expected to employ 200 people. Many in Kyrgyzstan considered Japarov’s announcement as an attempt to pave the way for Bakiev’s return to Kyrgyzstan. Groups uniting relatives of the 2010 victims told reporters on June 25 that they were against Bakiev’s return as a free man.
