Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned operator MegaCom has confirmed that it is “operating normally” after third parties reportedly attempted to commandeer the firm in the wake of the country’s failed elections.
Local news site Tazabek quoted Islambek Mursabekov, the chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Fund for State Property Management, as saying: “in the light of recent events, it is necessary to strengthen the protection of the company’s property in order to prevent it from being seized by destructive elements.”
He added that Kyrgyzstan’s government “will in every possible way suppress attempts of raider seizures of state property and unauthorised appointments to leadership positions”, while confirming that the operator’s existing management retained control.
News source Akchabar reported that the operator had resumed business as usual with its head offices being defended by voluntary people’s brigades (DND) after a group including former MegaCom employee Ulan Bayaliev and former regional prosecutor Abai Bekboyev attempted to install themselves as the new management. Akchabar noted that “with the support of DND representatives, the self-appointees left the building.”
During protests on 5th October in the aftermath of the elections, MegaCom’s network went down under the strain of an impromptu mass congregation in Bishkek, reports TeleGeography. The operator noted that “there was no command to disconnect communication, there was a failure”, and that services have now been restored. To compensate, the operator is providing its subscribers with a 20GB of free mobile data, unlimited online calling and 100 online SMS, valid up to 8th November.
