OSCE donates minibus to Special Operational Unit in Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek on 19 May 2014 donated a “Gazel” minibus for use by the Special Operational Unit of the State Committee on National Security (SCNS) of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The donation was made as part of an OSCE-supported project on increasing the operational preparedness of Kyrgyzstan’s anti-terrorism agencies.

The handover ceremony was attended by Rustam Mamasadykov, Rustam Mamasadykov, Deputy Head - Director of the Anti-terrorism Centre of the SCNS of the Kyrgyz Republic and Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

“Today’s handover is intended to enhance the work of the local special services to combat terrorism and extremism in the region,” said Ambassador Kapinos. “The Special Operational Unit of the SCNS is the main responder to terrorist attacks in Kyrgyzstan and the key purpose of minibus we purchased is to improve mobility of special groups while conducting anti-terrorist operations. The bus will also be used during simulation exercises and trainings organized by OSCE Centre.”

The aim of the project is to provide assistance to the country’s counter-terrorism agencies and to strengthen their potential and operational capacity when responding to terrorist threats, promoting inter-agency co-operation, and facilitating exchange of information and experience at the local, regional and international levels.