Kyrgyzstan’s prime minster steps down, is replaced by dissident freed from prison just hours earlier

Kyrgyzstani Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov has resigned from office after just a few months on the job, amid protests and riots in Bishkek against election parliamentary election results. National lawmakers have already appointed his replacement: Sadyr Zhaparov, a former member of parliament who was freed from prison just hours earlier by demonstrators. A court previously sentenced Zhaparov to 10 years behind bars for allegedly organizing riots.

Boronov isn’t Kyrgyzstan’s only top official to step down this week. Dastan Dzhumabekov, the speaker of the parliament, also resigned. Even President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who has accused protesters of trying to seize power, now says he’s willing to hold talks with the opposition.

On October 5, mass protests broke out in Bishkek after Kyrgyzstan’s two main pro-government political parties retained control of the legislature in the official results of parliamentary elections. Demonstrators clashed with police in Bishkek, leading to violence that injured several hundred people and killed at least one. Protesters also occupied several government buildings, including the legislature and the president’s own office.

On October 6, central election officials invalidated the results of the parliamentary elections.