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Kyrgyz protests spread to capital Kyrgyz clashes spread to capital
(about 2 hours later)
Opposition supporters are staging demonstrations in Kyrgyzstan to protest against rising fuel prices and what they see as official corruption. Clashes in Kyrgyzstan between police and opposition protesters have spread to several cities in the north.
Police in the capital, Bishkek, fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters outside the main opposition headquarters, reports say. Several thousand people were marching from the opposition headquarters to the main government offices in the capital Bishkek after clashes with police.
The unrest comes a day after thousands of people stormed government offices in the northwest city of Talas. The unrest comes a day after thousands of people stormed government offices in the north-west city of Talas.
They were calling for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The opposition is calling for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign over rising fuel prices and corruption.
At least two opposition leaders were detained by police overnight. The protesters in Bishkek appeared to be leaderless, says the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in the capital, after a number of opposition heads were arrested overnight.
The US embassy in Bishkek has said it is deeply concerned about the unrest while Russia has urged the Kyrgyz authorities to show restraint. AT THE SCENE Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News, Bishkek
Reports from the capital say at least 200 people had gathered outside the headquarters of the main opposition movement. There are several thousand people in the protests now, some of them are armed. Police officers have been beaten badly by the protesters - the crowd is angry and most importantly, it is uncontrollable.
The protesters attacked vehicles and chased police into nearby buildings. On Tuesday, most of the opposition leaders were arrested in Bishkek and now it appears that no one is in control.
Police fired tear gas and fired stun grenades to break up the crowds. The Kyrgyz parliament is currently debating whether to impose a curfew in the city of Talas. The country's prime minister said that the government does not have enough forces to bring order in the northern regions.
Leader arrests Earlier, police had used tear gas and stun grenades to break up crowds outside an opposition headquarters but the protesters rallied to march to the presidential offices in the city centre.
On Tuesday, protesters in Talas briefly took the local governor hostage while another 500 surrounded the local police headquarters. Police cars have been overturned and set alight and officers attacked by the crowd, some of whom are reported to be armed.
The Talas protesters took a local governor hostage The unrest began on Tuesday in the north-western city of Talas, where protesters briefly took the local governor hostage while another group surrounded the local police headquarters.
Angry crowds attacked special forces police with rocks and petrol bombs. They reportedly set fire to portraits of President Bakiyev.Angry crowds attacked special forces police with rocks and petrol bombs. They reportedly set fire to portraits of President Bakiyev.
Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said at least 85 people were injured in the unrest - most of the injured were reported to be police officers.Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said at least 85 people were injured in the unrest - most of the injured were reported to be police officers.
The opposition movement had called for nationwide protests on Wednesday, but the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Bishkek says the authorities have been trying to prevent people attending demonstrations. The unrest has also spread to Naryn, where thousands of people have seized government offices to install what they are calling a "people's governor".
Several opposition leaders were arrested overnight and journalists attacked, adding to the tensions in the country, says our correspondent.Several opposition leaders were arrested overnight and journalists attacked, adding to the tensions in the country, says our correspondent.
Late on Tuesday, security forces stormed the home of Almazbek Atambayev, the country's most popular opposition politician and former presidential candidate, in Bishkek.Late on Tuesday, security forces stormed the home of Almazbek Atambayev, the country's most popular opposition politician and former presidential candidate, in Bishkek.
KYRGYZSTAN FACTS One of the poorest of the former Soviet statesHosts both US and Russian military air basesPopulation mostly Kyrgyz but 15% are Uzbek and a significant number of Russians live in the north and around the capitalKurmanbek Bakiyev has been president since the Tulip Revolution of 2005, which overthrew the government of Askar AkayevMr Bakiyev vowed to restore stability but has been accused of failing to tackle corruptionOpponents also complain he has installed relatives in key government postsDomestic media have come under increasing pressure from the government in recent months
Another leader, Temir Sariyev, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday morning as he arrived in the country on a flight from Moscow.Another leader, Temir Sariyev, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday morning as he arrived in the country on a flight from Moscow.
"The government is clearly trying to prevent further opposition rallies. But we will hold them anyway," opposition activist Toktoaim Umetaliyeva told Reuters.
The US has said it is deeply concerned about the civil unrest in the country.The US has said it is deeply concerned about the civil unrest in the country.
In a statement, the US embassy in Bishkek said it would call on "all parties to show respect for the rule of law and call on both the demonstrators and the government to engage in talks to resolve differences in a peaceful, orderly and legal manner".In a statement, the US embassy in Bishkek said it would call on "all parties to show respect for the rule of law and call on both the demonstrators and the government to engage in talks to resolve differences in a peaceful, orderly and legal manner".
The US has an important base in Manas, near Bishkek, which it uses to supply operations in Afghanistan.
Moscow has also expressed concern, with Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin urging the authorities not to use force against demonstrators, the Interfax news agency reported.Moscow has also expressed concern, with Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin urging the authorities not to use force against demonstrators, the Interfax news agency reported.
Web blockedWeb blocked
The unrest comes amid rising tensions between the opposition and the government.
PRESIDENT KURMANBEK BAKIYEV Came to power after "Tulip Revolution" street protests in 2005His party won every parliamentary seat in 2007 polls - which observers said did not meet international standardsWon re-election again in 2009 - but EU observers again said poll was flawedOpposition accuses him of a media crackdown, nepotism and corruption Profile: Kurmanbek Bakiyev
In recent weeks, the authorities have clamped down on independent media, and several internet news sources are still blocked in the country, our correspondent reports.In recent weeks, the authorities have clamped down on independent media, and several internet news sources are still blocked in the country, our correspondent reports.
PRESIDENT KURMANBEK BAKIYEV Came to power after "Tulip Revolution" street protests in 2005His party won every parliamentary seat in 2007 polls - which observers said did not meet international standardsWon re-election again in 2009 - but EU observers again said poll was flawedOpposition accuses him of a media crackdown, nepotism and corruption Profile: Kurmanbek Bakiyev
There has also been rising discontent with the role of President Bakiyev's son who was recently appointed as the head of an important government agency.There has also been rising discontent with the role of President Bakiyev's son who was recently appointed as the head of an important government agency.
Five years ago, mass protests in Kyrgyzstan brought Mr Bakiyev to power.Five years ago, mass protests in Kyrgyzstan brought Mr Bakiyev to power.
He promised to fight corruption and promote democracy, but his critics say the country has become increasingly authoritarian under his rule, our correspondent says.He promised to fight corruption and promote democracy, but his critics say the country has become increasingly authoritarian under his rule, our correspondent says.
Last week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Bishkek and called on the government to do more to protect human rights.Last week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Bishkek and called on the government to do more to protect human rights.
On Tuesday, the UN said Mr Ban was "concerned" at events in Talas and urged all parties to show restraint.On Tuesday, the UN said Mr Ban was "concerned" at events in Talas and urged all parties to show restraint.
Are you in Kyrgyzstan? Are you taking part in the protests? What is your reaction to the unrest? Send your comments using the form below.Are you in Kyrgyzstan? Are you taking part in the protests? What is your reaction to the unrest? Send your comments using the form below.
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