After days of violent clashes and chaos in Kyrgyzstan, anti-government protesters claim they have toppled the government of the former Soviet Republic, but the true state of affairs is far from clear.
Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov is reported to have resigned, while the president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has refused to capitulate. According to Kyrgyzstan news agency Kabar, the president and defense minister went to their southern residency in the city of Osh and are preparing for new plans to preserve their power.
The head of the “transitional government” was named as Social Democratic Party leader, Rosa Otunbaeva, the BBC reported, quoting the Reuters agency.
According to Otunbaeva, people are organizing across the capital to take control of the situation, but national military forces are still facing off against protesters and do not seem ready to put down their guns.
The United Nations, the United States, and other countries have repeatedly stressed their concerns about the ongoing anti-government demonstrations and are urging all parties to show respect for rule of law and to engage in peaceful talks to resolve the dispute.
Five years ago, in 2005, the same scenario occurred in Kyrgyzstan, when the current president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was in opposition and did not agree with the results of the election that gave Askar Akaev the presidency.
But Bakiyev’s rule turned authoritarian with people’s rights, opposition parties, and media freedom being constantly suppressed.
This time around, the protests in the capital and other provinces have grown more aggressive and widespread in the impoverished mountainous country of 5 million people, particularly after 10 opposition leaders were detained. Those detained have now been released, according to media reports.
On Tuesday, several thousand opposition supporters reportedly stormed the police station and provincial government offices in the northeast city of Talal. A similar incident happened in the southern town of Naryn, where protesters are said to be holding talks with the governor regarding transferring power to the opposition.
The government has reacted severely, firing on protesters in Bishkek. In clashes on Wednesday, riot police used guns, tear gas, and concussion grenades to crack down on rock-throwing protesters, leaving dozens killed and injured.
There has also been an information blockade inside the country, with several Internet media and TV stations blocked, although some outlets have resumed broadcasting.
An estimated 10,000 protesters were demonstrating in Bishkek in the central squares, in front of parliament and at the other state offices, leaving buildings burned and destroyed.
Opposition supporters sought the downfall of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev due to widespread anger over soaring utility costs, oppression of civil rights, and the closing of several opposition newspapers and opposition parties.
Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov is reported to have resigned, while the president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has refused to capitulate. According to Kyrgyzstan news agency Kabar, the president and defense minister went to their southern residency in the city of Osh and are preparing for new plans to preserve their power.
The head of the “transitional government” was named as Social Democratic Party leader, Rosa Otunbaeva, the BBC reported, quoting the Reuters agency.
According to Otunbaeva, people are organizing across the capital to take control of the situation, but national military forces are still facing off against protesters and do not seem ready to put down their guns.
The United Nations, the United States, and other countries have repeatedly stressed their concerns about the ongoing anti-government demonstrations and are urging all parties to show respect for rule of law and to engage in peaceful talks to resolve the dispute.
Five years ago, in 2005, the same scenario occurred in Kyrgyzstan, when the current president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was in opposition and did not agree with the results of the election that gave Askar Akaev the presidency.
But Bakiyev’s rule turned authoritarian with people’s rights, opposition parties, and media freedom being constantly suppressed.
This time around, the protests in the capital and other provinces have grown more aggressive and widespread in the impoverished mountainous country of 5 million people, particularly after 10 opposition leaders were detained. Those detained have now been released, according to media reports.
On Tuesday, several thousand opposition supporters reportedly stormed the police station and provincial government offices in the northeast city of Talal. A similar incident happened in the southern town of Naryn, where protesters are said to be holding talks with the governor regarding transferring power to the opposition.
The government has reacted severely, firing on protesters in Bishkek. In clashes on Wednesday, riot police used guns, tear gas, and concussion grenades to crack down on rock-throwing protesters, leaving dozens killed and injured.
There has also been an information blockade inside the country, with several Internet media and TV stations blocked, although some outlets have resumed broadcasting.
An estimated 10,000 protesters were demonstrating in Bishkek in the central squares, in front of parliament and at the other state offices, leaving buildings burned and destroyed.
Opposition supporters sought the downfall of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev due to widespread anger over soaring utility costs, oppression of civil rights, and the closing of several opposition newspapers and opposition parties.
