Rally against microcredit companies is going in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Around 50 people gathered outside the 'White House', mainly out-of-towners from regions of the republic. They are holding posters saying "Stop surcharges for loans!", "Give lands to doctors and teachers!", "Let PSB air programs about Kyrgyz traditions!"
According to one of participants of the action, director of Aurdin company Arstanbek Abdyldaev, Minister of Education and Science KR Kanat Sadykov promised to allot funds for teachers to build dwelling-houses. "People say the government ostensibly transferred money to me to build dwelling-houses but I don't see any money. Main part of the population doesn't have money, majority of people sank in loan debts they had from microcredit companies including private ones," he said, news agency "24.kg" reported.
Meanwhile protestors demand authorities to pass the law on reducing the number of private microcredit companies and pawnshops to stop charging surcharges for received loans and cut interests. "Minimal loan interest is around 20 percent while maximal is 37. People don't have possibility to pay off such sums. Usually they lose such cases at courts and are deprived of their property," added the head of El Zheri public association Roza Mambetalieva.
Not far away there is another rally in support of Ataturk Ala-Too park. Around 15 women are holding posters reading "Krasienko, keep your hands off Ataturk park!", "We don't allow selling of peoples' property!"
Participants of action say that vice mayor of Bishkek Vyacheslav Krasienko wants to sell the park to foreigners.