Dozens of Kyrgyz were arrested this week for protesting a new Kyrgyz-Uzbek border deal. The deal will settle long contested border disputes between the two countries.

The Kyrgyz-Uzbek deal, protested by politicians and activists, involves the Kyrgyzstan Government giving up about 4,485 hectares (17 miles) to the Uzbekistan Government which contains an important water reservoir for the country’s agricultural industry in Kyrgyzstan. In exchange for the land containing the water reservoir, Kyrgyzstan would receive about 19,000 hectares (73 miles) located in other parts.

The land Kyrgyzstan obtains is irrigated land, which the nation hopes will provide a strategic advantage for Kyrgyzstan’s agricultural sector.

The following day after protests, law enforcement raided the homes of more than 20 activists and politicians who participated in the protest and arrested them, charged with preparing mass protests, which may include up to 5-10 years in jail. The apprehended protestors are also put in pre-trial detention, which lasts up to two months.

The Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Interior stated that the activists and politicians involved were organizing riots with the goal of an “illegal seize of power.” In the past, the group of protestors have only been known to conduct peaceful protests.

The evidence used against the protestors, regarding a plot to seize power, is backed up by an alleged audio recording of some of the protestors discussing overthrowing the government. These recordings have been scrutinized as they appear to have been edited to make it appear they intend to overthrow the government.

This crackdown is congruent with the recent crackdown on journalists in Kyrgyzstan, who have experienced “surveillance, raids of their homes, interrogation, and criminal prosecution” within the past month.

The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, stated in an interview that if the protestors are convicted, “he could pardon them.”