Japarov calls Kazakh opposition figure Ablyazov's claims about money false

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov says he refused a request from Kazakh opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov to come to Bishkek. According to the president, Ablyazov claimed to hold a Kyrgyz passport. Japarov described the conversation, which took place after the October 2020 events, saying Ablyazov wanted to stay in Kyrgyzstan and pursue political activity there against the Kazakh authorities.

Japarov said he declined because he did not intend to interfere in the internal politics of a neighbouring country or to damage relations with Kazakhstan over Ablyazov. He also responded to Ablyazov's claim that Japarov had asked him for money in October 2020.

"Who will believe that I asked money from a man who himself collects money from the Kazakh people for living in France? The people already freed me from prison and brought me to power. So they could have elected me without money," Japarov said. He described Ablyazov's claims about money as false.