Demolition of 'Baysan' in Osh: Akhmatbek Keldibekov Claims No Connection to the Restaurant

Osh city authorities have initiated the demolition of the 'Baysan' restaurant, a prominent establishment situated on the banks of the Ak-Buura River. The official justification for this action is the imperative to clear the river's water protection zone and transform the area into a public park, a move supported by the mayor, Zhanarbek Akaev. This decision follows failed negotiations with the restaurant's owners, who reportedly rejected offers of compensation and relocation assistance. The city plans to develop over 10 hectares into a public space, complete with cycling paths, flower gardens, and a beach, emphasizing a commitment to public welfare and the restoration of natural areas.

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We have considered public opinion. There will be a park: a bike path, flower areas, a beach. This is a state necessity. People are asking why some objects are demolished and others are not. There must be a unified approach.

The demolition, which began on May 6th, has brought to the forefront a complex dispute involving property rights, legal interpretations, and political figures. The restaurant's ownership has been a subject of public speculation, with media reports linking it to former parliament speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov. However, Keldibekov has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that the restaurant is legally registered under Adalat Abdibaitova, the wife of his brother, Urmat Belekbaev. He further contends that the land was acquired lawfully, backed by a Supreme Court decision, and questions the legitimacy of the demolition without the annulment of this ruling.

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We are implementing the principle of equal approach and freeing up water protection territories from development.

Adding another layer to the controversy is the differing interpretation of the water protection zone's width. While government regulations stipulate a 75-meter zone for rivers of Ak-Buura's length, city authorities appear to be enforcing a 50-meter zone, a discrepancy that the restaurant's owners are contesting. This situation highlights a recurring theme in Osh, where development projects often intersect with legal ambiguities and public scrutiny. The city administration maintains that the actions are in line with current legislation and aimed at bringing order to the urban landscape, while Keldibekov points to a potential misuse of authority and calls for a unified approach to property enforcement.

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I have no relation to the restaurant. The object is registered to Adalat Abdibaitova - the wife of my brother Urmat Belekbaev.