BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Police in Kyrgyzstan say 39 military conscripts abandoned their post earlier this week, reportedly over a disagreement with commanding officers.
The soldiers walked out Sunday. On Monday evening, 20 of the soldiers returned to their post.
Local media outlets said the troops, who were due to demobilize in the spring, were guards at the Ala-Archa governmental residence in the capital, Bishkek.
The Bishkek-based online news portal 24.kg reported that military sources had said the desertion followed an argument between the conscripts and their superiors.
Police official Gennady Krasnyansky told the news portal that the 20 soldiers who returned would face only disciplinary action, not criminal charges.
Budgetary shortfalls and poor morale have undermined the army in the Central Asian country.
Kyrgyzstan hosts a U.S. air transit center used for operations in Afghanistan and has voiced apprehensions about the possible security ramifications over NATO's withdrawal from there in 2014.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
