You're reading: Interior Ministry: Ukrainian Berkut-style riot police unit appears in Kyrgyzstan

 Kyrgyz Interior Minister Abdulda Suranchiyev has told reporters that a specialized regiment has been formed in the country that will be used to suppress any unauthorized protests.

This measure was taken after control over the Internal Troops, which
were previously in charge of these duties, was transferred to the
General Staff, he said.

The new regiment was modeled after Ukraine’s now-defunct Berkut elite riot police force, the minister said.

“This specialized regiment includes the patrol service that is
responsible for preventing any disturbances. The regiment currently
includes 600 people, 200 of whom have been sent to Osh [southern
Kyrgyzstan], and 400 are serving in Bishkek,” Suranchiyev said.

A similar unit is expected to appear within the central police department of the Kyrgyz capital as well, he added.

A security coordination center has also been set up in the country,
the minister said, adding that this decision was in no way linked with
the latest riots in Ukraine.

“The social and political situation is calm in Kyrgyzstan,” the ministry said.