BISHKEK -- Protests have rocked Kyrgyzstan after the controversial arrest and detention on Feb. 26 of Omurbek Tekebayev, leader of Ata Meken, the country's main opposition party.
Observers say the move is intended to remove a key critic of President Almazbek Atambayev and the ruling Social Democratic Party ahead of presidential elections due in November. It has also raised concerns that political repression could escalate over the next few months, as it has in the run up to past elections.
