It was unclear whether he would serve a full term or be forced to step down once new parliamentary elections are held to replace last week’s annulled vote. Among those freed from prison this past week by protesters were a former president, Almazbek Atambayev, serving an 11-year-sentence for corruption, and two former prime ministers. Mr. Atambayev, under whose rule Mr. Japarov, the new prime minister, was convicted, was himself back behind bars on Saturday after being detained by security officers in the center of Bishkek. He had said on Friday that he had been the target of a failed assassination attempt after his release from jail. Mr. Jeenbekov, who vanished from view after protesters stormed his office, re-emerged on Friday take the lead in trying to calm the crisis, firing the previous government and pledging to resign once a new cabinet was formed.

Source: New York Times October 10, 2020 18:22 UTC