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Kyrgyz Protesters Want Kazakhstan, Russia, U.S. To Help Extradite Bakiev


Former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Belarus
Former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Belarus
BISHKEK -- Relatives of those killed during the April 7 uprising in Kyrgyzstan are calling on the Kazakh, Russian, and U.S. governments to help extradite former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev from Belarus, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Dozens of protesters picketed the embassies of Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United States in the Kyrgyz capital today to solicit their help in bringing Bakiev back to Kyrgyzstan.

Bakiev fled the capital on April 7 when thousands of antigovernment protesters battled security forces in Bishkek and other Kyrgyz cities. More than 80 people were killed and hundreds of others injured during the clashes.

The leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, the United States, and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe helped mediate talks that led to Bakiev flying to Belarus in mid-April.

Kyrgyzstan's interim government, which came to power after the uprising, has officially requested Bakiev's extradition. It claims that he may be responsible for giving the order for security forces to open fire on the demonstrators.

Relatives of the victims of the clashes established the nongovernmental organization Martyrs of the Land to honor those who died.

Martyrs of the Land leader Arstanbek Sagyndykov told RFE/RL that the demonstrators handed letters with their demands to representatives at the three embassies.
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