Bishkek Tells Uzbekistan To Free Kyrgyz Nationals

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has officially asked Uzbek authorities to release two Kyrgyz citizens detained by Uzbek border guards for allegedly crossing the border illegally, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Kyrgyz Border Guard Service press secretary Dosnazar Abdulazizov told RFE/RL that Kyrgyz authorities are holding talks with Uzbek officials about the release of Zakir Akbarov and Ubaydulla Mitalipov, who are ethnic Uzbeks.

The two were detained by Uzbek border guards in May and charged with crossing the border illegally.

Uzbek authorities insist they must be tried in Uzbekistan, while Bishkek wants their cases tried in Kyrgyzstan.