 Four policemen were beaten to death on Sunday when thousands of people stormed government buildings to protest against Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev. Akayev had warned last week that any attempt to copy the "Orange Revolution" in fellow ex-Soviet state Ukraine could lead to civil war.
The opposition seized control of the southern Kyrgyz town of Dzhalal Abad, following protests on Friday in nearby Osh and in two other regions in the south. A Bishkek police official said that four policemen had been beaten to death in clashes after police fired shots but failed to stop the demonstrators.
| I think I saw that part in an Eisenstein movie once... |
The Russian Interfax news agency quoted police as saying up to 10 people had been killed, a figure denied by government officials. The opposition said six of its protesters had been injured. "The police opened fire, and I saw with my own eyes that four people got hit by ricochets," said Abdul Kambarov, a civilian with injuries to his face and legs. Witnesses said that government buildings were burning and the streets were strewn with broken glass caused by protesters throwing petrol bombs to force the police to leave. There were bloodstains on the floor and the staircase of the main administration building, now occupied by protesters.
| How about the baby carriage? Did it roll all the way down the stairs? |
| O.J. saved the baby ... oops, wrong movie. |
"We want Akayev to understand what's going on. Either he resigns now or he gives us an assurance he will resign in October," said Bektur Asanov, a losing candidate in the elections. The opposition says Akayev could use his majority in parliament, which includes two of his children, to change the law and stand for a third term in elections later this year. A spokesman for Akayev said the president was following the situation but he made no public statements or appearances. |