Kyrgyzstan needs largescale reform of its law enforcement agencies - ex-President Atambayev

BISHKEK. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, who was released from the penitentiary on Tuesday, has called for a largescale reform of the country's law enforcement agencies.

"I will never plead guilty and will not ask for a pardon. I believe that we need a major reform of the law enforcement agencies, we need a personnel purge. The courts, unfortunately, work on command, the prosecutor's office does not protect," Atambayev told reporters at his home in the village of Koi-Tash, 20 kilometers from Bishkek.

"I did not believe to the end that I would be released," the former president said.

Atambayev also said that independent media should be backed in the country. "We must support the press, our free society, give more opportunities to the independent press," he said.

The former president added that he plans to fly to Spain for treatment in the coming days.