Overview: 2010 was a turbulent year for Kyrgyzstan, with the collapse of the government in April and inter-ethnic clashes in June, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad. The Provisional Government successfully organized a Constitutional Referendum in June and Parliamentary elections in October. Following the elections, a new government was formed in December. In spite of the changes in leadership and political system, terrorism remained an important issue for the Government of Kyrgyzstan.

2010 Terrorist Incidents:

  • On November 24, police in Bishkek arrested two persons in a car parked near the Central Mosque and seized several improvised explosive devices from the vehicle.

  • On November 30 in Bishkek, a bomb exploded outside of the Sports Palace where the trial of former government officials arrested following the April 7 violence was taking place. No one was killed. Two police officers suffered minor injuries.

  • On December 25, suspected terrorists parked a vehicle containing an explosive device outside the Bishkek central police station. Security officials discovered the vehicle and defused the bomb before it exploded without injury. The vehicle had been stolen from American citizens during a home invasion and robbery on December 24.

Legislation and Law Enforcement: Following the December terrorist attacks, Kyrgyzstan's security forces arrested a number of terrorist suspects. By year's end, however, none of the suspects were charged with any crimes. The Kyrgyzstan government has significantly expanded the number of uniformed police on the street and increased the number of ID checks of individuals. Due to the events in April and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament, Kyrgyzstan did not pass any new counterterrorism legislation.

Countering Terrorist Finance: Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Eurasian Group (EAG) on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. In November, the EAG Secretariat noted that Kyrgyzstan was partially compliant with eight and non-compliant with eight of the FATF's 16 core anti-money laundering/countering terrorist finance recommendations. It noted that the Kyrgyz Republic had achieved major progress in relation to the financial recommendations since December 2009. The Financial Intelligence Unit of Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Egmont Group. In 2010, Kyrgyzstan did not freeze any terrorist assets, including those called for by UNSCRs 1267 and 1373.

Regional and International Cooperation: As a member state of both organizations, Kyrgyzstan participated in activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization of the Commonwealth of Independent States and activities of the OSCE.

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