BISHKEK. Aug 13 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkaly Abylgaziyev has dismissed Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Kursan Asanov, who had held negotiations with former President Almazbek Atambayev during the riots on August 7-8. The deputy minister was dismissed for betraying the interests of the police and due to the loss of the prime minister's confidence, the press service for the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry told Interfax on Tuesday.
"Deputy Interior Minister Kursan Asanov has been dismissed from his post following an order from Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkaly Abylgaziyev," the press service said.
Asanov participated in the operation to compulsively bring Atambayev for questioning on August 7-8 and held negotiations with him, including negotiations on the release of special forces servicemen taken hostage, among other things.
According to the press service, the Interior Ministry's internal investigation service held an internal inquiry into Asanov's failure to perform his direct duties to prevent mass disturbances and ensure the protection of public order on August 7-8.
"Following the internal inquiry, it was suggested that Kursan Asanov be dismissed from his post for the betrayal of the interests of the Kyrgyz police and the loss of confidence," the Interior Ministry said.
The results of the internal inquiry were handed over to the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office for a legal evaluation, it said.
Pamirbek Asanov was appointed as the new deputy interior minister of the country by the Kyrgyz prime minister's decree, the Interior Ministry said. Prior to his appointment, he headed the ministry's investigative service.
"In addition, the Interior Ministry ordered the appointment of Saparbek Asanaliyev, who had previously headed the ministry's public security service, as acting interior minister for the Chuy region," the press service said.
Former Chuy region Interior Minister Samat Kurmankulov was rushed to an intensive care unit and underwent a craniotomy following a clash with Atambayev's supporters in the village of Koi-Tash.
On Monday, Kurmankulov was transported to the Burdenko Neurosurgery Center in Moscow for further treatment.
Special operations forces of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National security attempted to detain Atambayev in the village of Koi-Tash 20 kilometers from the country's capital Bishkek on August 7, leading to clashes with the ex-president's supporters. One special forces soldier died of a gunshot wound. Six special forces soldiers were taken hostage and released the next day.
Clashes continued on August 8 when special forces undertook another attempt to detain the former president. The same day, Atambayev turned himself in to law enforcement agencies.
Police had to use riot control equipment to disperse around 1,500 supporters of Atambayev who gathered on Bishkek's central square late on August 8. More than 40 offenders were detained in Bishkek last night, and four people were hospitalized.
A total of 170 people, including 79 law enforcement officers, were injured over two days of protests in Koi-Tash and Bishkek.
Atambayev was arrested until August 26. According to the lawyer, Atambayev is suspected of several grave crimes including organizing mass unrest and attempted murder.