In the press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he is mentioned as A. U., born in 1963. One source indicated that the surname Askarov is listed in official documents. It is worth noting that Urmat Baryktabasov's full name is Urmatbek Askarbekovich, which may suggest a possible name change.
On November 22, law enforcement conducted searches and detentions as part of the investigation into the case of calls for mass riots. As a result, ten people were detained, including notable figures such as politician Temirlan Sultanbekov, former deputy Shailoobek Atazov, member of the "Social Democrats" Ermek Ermatov, as well as former bodyguard of Almazbek Atambayev Damir Musakeev and leader of the "Social Democrats" Kadyrbek Atambaev. The press release also mentions four other men whose names remain unknown for now. According to Kaktus.media, one of them is Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
Who is Urmat Baryktabasov?
Urmatbek (Urmаt) Askarbekovich Baryktabasov is a businessman and politician who previously held prominent positions among entrepreneurs and opposition leaders. He was born in 1962 or 1963 in the town of Rybachye (Balykchy) in the Issyk-Kul region, according to other sources — in the village of Bar-Bulak in the Ton district.
Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
In the early 1990s, Baryktabasov began his business activities, creating companies such as the investment firm "Issyk-Kul," the bank "Urmаt," and "Nаристе-invest." However, soon his enterprises faced financial difficulties. In 1999, he moved to Kazakhstan, where he continued to engage in business.
Upon returning to Kyrgyzstan in 2001, he took the position of first deputy general director of JSC "Kyrgyzgas." He also oversaw investment projects, including the construction of a cascade of hydropower plants on the Naryn River worth $4 billion, as well as the creation of road and rail corridors and the reconstruction of airports as part of the "Silk Road of the 21st Century" program. After the overthrow of Askar Akayev, he became the leader of the public movement "Mekенim Kyrgyzstan," founded in 2004.
After the events of March, on May 19, 2005, he submitted an application to the Central Election Commission for registration as a presidential candidate. In his electoral program, he promised to attract $4 billion in foreign investment to the country's economy. However, on June 13, the Central Election Commission denied his registration, citing documents indicating that he had been a citizen of Kazakhstan since 2003.
Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
In response to the refusal, his supporters briefly seized the government building in June 2005. To disperse the protesters, the authorities used force, resulting in five police officers being injured and 216 people detained. For this, Baryktabasov was accused of attempting a coup and was placed on a wanted list, after which he left the country.
After his departure, the "Mekеним Kyrgyzstan" movement disbanded, and Baryktabasov, while abroad, founded the "Meken-Tuu" party in 2007.
From 2005 to 2010, he lived and worked in the UAE, where he became an investor in several development projects in Dubai. In 2009, his name was mentioned among the hundred richest people in Kyrgyzstan.
Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
On the political stage of Kyrgyzstan, Baryktabasov reappeared in 2010 after the overthrow of Bakiyev. In May of that year, his plane was denied landing permission at "Manas" airport, but he returned to the country in June. In August 2010, he gathered a kurultai of his supporters from the Issyk-Kul region. On August 5, during a march to Bishkek, clashes occurred with law enforcement, and Baryktabasov was detained along with four other participants of the kurultai, from whom weapons were seized.
In 2011, he received a four-year sentence for "organizing and participating in the storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons," but was acquitted of the charge of attempting to seize power by force. In August of that year, he was released under amnesty.
Urmat Baryktabasov (Askarov).
In the following years, Baryktabasov periodically commented on the political and economic situation in Kyrgyzstan, criticizing the clan system. In a 2018 interview, he stated that he had stepped away from politics and did not plan to return.
