4 Mar 2013 14:38

Kyrgyzstan needs to tighten punishment for coup plotters - president

BISHKEK. March 4 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev advocates tighter punishment for coup plotters.

"It is time to protect our laws and to be very firm even if somebody dislikes this policy," he said at a Monday meeting of the Presidential Council on the Judiciary Reform.

"Is there any other country in which the media can freely publish appeals for overthrowing the authorities?" the president wondered.

"People in this country calmly speak and write about attempts to seize power and a possible coup," Atambayev said.

He proposed to adjust laws for tightening liability of coup plotters.

"If they (the opposition) want power, they have every possibility to take it in elections. Let them start preparing," the Kyrgyz leader stressed.