Revolution 3.0

In October 2020, in Kyrgyzstan, protests broke out the next day after parliament elections over vote-rigging claims. The police tried to disperse them with tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and stones. The confrontation lasted for several hours. The protesters defeated the police and captured the White House. These pictured show the events inside and outside the White House that night, capturing key moments in what later turned out to be the third Kyrgyz revolution.

02:41 am in the morning of October 6th, 2020. The police advances at the protesters in a final confrontation after several hours of fighting them with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stones. A view from a window a block away from the White House in Bis

02:41 am in the morning of October 6th, 2020. The police advances at the protesters in a final confrontation after several hours of fighting them with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stones. A view from a window a block away from the White House in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

02:43:31 am on the morning of October 6th, 2020. The protesters defeat the police, and SWAT officers run away. A view from a window a block away from the White House .

02:43:31 am on the morning of October 6th, 2020. The protesters defeat the police, and SWAT officers run away. A view from a window a block away from the White House .

02:43:31 am on the morning of October 6th, 2020. A view from a window a block away from the White House.

02:43:31 am on the morning of October 6th, 2020. A view from a window a block away from the White House.

A volunteer provides first aid to a wounded protester who got a shard of glass in his calf. October 6th, 2020.

A volunteer provides first aid to a wounded protester who got a shard of glass in his calf. October 6th, 2020.

Protesters look at the newly-captured White House in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The building and the square in front of it were full of protesters celebrating their victory and burning fires to keep themselves warm.

Protesters look at the newly-captured White House in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The building and the square in front of it were full of protesters celebrating their victory and burning fires to keep themselves warm.

A gas mask burns in a fire next to the White House. That night, most of the protesters wore masks: not only because of covid-19, which raged in the country, but also because the police used tear gas trying to disperse them.

A gas mask burns in a fire next to the White House. That night, most of the protesters wore masks: not only because of covid-19, which raged in the country, but also because the police used tear gas trying to disperse them.

On the night of October 5th, at least half a dozen cars were burned on the streets of Bishkek, mostly in the vicinity of the White House. This car burned right in front of it.

On the night of October 5th, at least half a dozen cars were burned on the streets of Bishkek, mostly in the vicinity of the White House. This car burned right in front of it.

View from a front window of a car that was left on a street where the police fought the protesters for several hours, using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stones.

View from a front window of a car that was left on a street where the police fought the protesters for several hours, using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stones.

Protesters drew graffiti on the doors of the captured White House. This says: "Ketsin Soke" (Soke Go Away). Soke is the nickname of then-president Sooronbay Zheenbekov.

Protesters drew graffiti on the doors of the captured White House. This says: "Ketsin Soke" (Soke Go Away). Soke is the nickname of then-president Sooronbay Zheenbekov.

A room on the top, seventh, floor of the White House soon after the building was captured by the protesters.

A room on the top, seventh, floor of the White House soon after the building was captured by the protesters.

A man reads a book, sitting on the top seventh floor of the newly-captured White House. He appears to be reading footnotes.

A man reads a book, sitting on the top seventh floor of the newly-captured White House. He appears to be reading footnotes.