Kyrgyz president conducts dialogues with political forces

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has held talks with all political forces, the president's press secretary Tolgonai Stamalieva said Tuesday as protesters were voicing opposition against the preliminary results of Sunday's parliamentary elections.

"The head of state was at his workplace in the building of the Jogorku Kenesh (the parliament) until 2 am (2000 GMT), conducting individual dialogues with all political forces. The President is counting on the prudence of the organizers of the protest action," said Stamalieva.

The president's secretary made the statement as local reports said that protesters against the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections have released former President Almazbek Atambayev from the detention center of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) on Tuesday.

According to a video published in social networks, the protesters entered the White House, or the parliament building, where the parliament and the presidential office are located, and went to the GKNB building, where the former president was released.

On June 23, Atambayev was sentenced to 11 years and two months in prison with confiscation of property on corruption charges.

During the protest, which began on the central square of Bishkek Monday at about 12 am local time (0600 GMT), sounds of explosions were heard in central Bishkek through the early hours of Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health said at least 16 people received various injures.

The parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan were held on Sunday. Official results will be announced by the Central Election Commission no later than 20 days from the voting day.