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'Four killed' in Kyrgyz clashes 'Four killed' in Kyrgyz clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Clashes between police and protesters have led to the deaths of four people in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, witnesses and medical officials say. At least four people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, witnesses and medics say.
Several thousand opposition supporters have been trying to storm the office of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev amid unrest over rising fuel prices and corruption. There are reports that police fired live rounds at the demonstrators after failing to disperse them with tear gas and stun grenades.
The clashes come a day after thousands of people stormed government offices in the north-west city of Talas. Protesters in several parts of the country are calling for the president to resign over rising fuel prices.
Russia and the US, which have military bases in Kyrgyzstan, appealed for calm.Russia and the US, which have military bases in Kyrgyzstan, appealed for calm.
There are reports police fired into the crowds outside the President Bakiyev's offices after failing to disperse them with tear gas and stun grenades. The clashes in Bishkek come a day after thousands of people stormed government offices in the north-western town of Talas.
Witnesses said at least four bodies were on the ground and a medical official told Reuters news agency that several people had been killed and dozens injured, mostly from firearms. Government offices in another town, Naryn, have also been seized by opposition supporters.
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. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has declared a state of emergency and imposed customs in Bishkek, Talas and Naryn.
Leaders arrested
Witnesses said at least four bodies were on the ground in the square outside the president's office and a medical official told Reuters news agency that several people had been killed and dozens injured, mostly from firearms.
AT THE SCENE Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News, BishkekAT THE SCENE Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News, Bishkek
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. We've been to the square where the demonstrations were taking place - the situation is very chaotic.
On Tuesday, most of the opposition leaders were arrested in Bishkek and now it appears that no-one is in control. There are thousands of people there, mainly young men, and lots of them have arrived from different parts of Kyrgyzstan.
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. They are very angry and it was very noisy, the police were firing stun grenades and also live rounds. We saw people who had been shot - one man walked past me, he had been shot in the hand.
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. We seemed to be the only camera there - and the protesters wanted us to see the people who had been killed. We saw at least one dead man.
All this has angered the protesters even further - they say they won't go anywhere and were shouting "the president must go".
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.
Earlier, police had used tear gas and stun grenades to break up crowds outside an opposition headquarters but the protesters overcame the police and marched to the presidential offices in the city centre.
Police cars have been overturned and set alight and officers attacked by the crowd, some of whom are reported to be armed.Police cars have been overturned and set alight and officers attacked by the crowd, some of whom are reported to be armed.
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. The unrest began on Tuesday in 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.
Protests spread on Wednesday to Bishkek and to the northern town of Naryn. Protests spread on Wednesday to Bishkek and Naryn.
Thousands of people occupied a government building in Naryn and have installed what they are calling a "people's governor".Thousands of people occupied a government building in Naryn and have installed 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. The protests have been touched off by rising fuel prices, but the opposition has also accused President Bakiyev of economic mismanagement and failing to tackle corruption.
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 monthsKYRGYZSTAN 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. The most popular opposition leader, Almazbek Atambayev, and several other politicians have been arrested and journalists attacked, adding to the tensions in the country, says our correspondent.
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 base in Manas, near Bishkek, is used to supply operations in Afghanistan. The US base in Manas, near Bishkek, is a key resupply hub for the operations in Afghanistan.
Russia's Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has urged the authorities not to use force against demonstrators, the Interfax news agency reported.Russia's Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has urged the authorities not to use force against demonstrators, the Interfax news agency reported.
Web blockedWeb blocked
In recent weeks, the authorities have clamped down on independent media, and several internet news sources are still blocked in the country.In recent weeks, the authorities have clamped down on independent media, and several internet news sources are still blocked in the country.
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 BakiyevPRESIDENT 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.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions