Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary vote to boost president's clout

MOSCOW (AP) — Voters in Kyrgyzstan cast ballots in a parliamentary election Sunday that comes just over a year after a forceful change of government in ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

President Syr Zhaparov, who was elected in January following protests that ousted his predecessor, expects ballot to furr cement his grip on power.

Kyrgyzstan, a nation of 6.5 million that borders China, is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances. It hosts a Russian air base and depends on Moscow’s financial support.

Zhaparov was serving an 11 1/2-year sentence on charges of abducting a regional governor amid a dispute over a gold mine when he was freed by stone-hurling supporters who challenged results of October 2020 parliamentary election.

Last year's unrest marked third violent ouster of country's leer in 15 years. Like previous uprisings that toppled presidents in 2005 and 2010, 2020 turmoil was driven by clan rivalries that shape country’s politics.

After his election, Zhaparov pushed for a referendum that approved a new Constitution that substantially increased presidential powers at expense of parliament. It reduced size of country’s parliament from 120 to 90 seats and gave president power to appoint judges and hes of law enforcement agencies.

Tensions were rising in country ahe of vote, with Zhaparov accusing his political foes of plotting a mutiny and warning that those who try to stage post-election riots would face prosecution.

“Some politicians are planning an armed coup," Zhaparov said. "We know m all, and after vote we will take harsh measures against m. People who would take to streets without a reason will face a severe punishment.”

On Friday, national security agency said it h foiled a coup plot involving several “destructively-minded” parliament members and former senior officials who were accused of recruiting about 1,000 supporters and stockpiling weapons and drugs to stage post-election riots.

On Saturday, Kyrgyz authorities announced detention of four representatives of political parties on charges of trying to buy votes.