Global General
Anti-govt protests sweep Kyrgyzstan, 100 said dead
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-08 01:47
 |
Large Medium Small |
|
 An Interior Ministry vehicle is seen ablaze during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in Bishkek April 7, 2010. [Agencies]
|
Witnesses said the crowd in Talas looted police headquarters Wednesday, removing computers and furniture. Dozens of police officers left the building and mingled with protesters.
In the eastern region of Issyk-Kul, protesters seized the regional administration building and declared they installed their governor, the Ata-Meken opposition party said on its Web site.
Hundreds of protesters overran the government building Tuesday on Talas' main square. They were initially dispersed by baton-wielding police, but then fought through tear gas and flash grenades to regroup, burning police cars and hurling stones and Molotov cocktails.
Usenov said Tuesday's violence in Talas had left 85 officers injured and 15 unaccounted for.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who met with Bakiyev in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday, arrived in Moscow on Wednesday at the end of a trip to several Central Asian nations.
"The secretary-general is shocked by the reported deaths and injuries that have occurred today in Kyrgyzstan," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. "He once again calls on all concerned to show restraint. He urgently appeals for dialogue and calm to avoid further bloodshed."
The leaders of the four other former Soviet republics in the region were watching events in Bishkek with concern.
