A Kyrgyz opposition leader says police searched his car today as he left a major opposition rally, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Omurbek Tekebaev, head of the Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party and a former parliamentary speaker, told RFE/RL he was leaving the opposition-organized People's Congress in Bishkek when his car was stopped by police officers.
When Tekebaev asked them why his car was being searched, they told him they had been informed that he had a gun in the car.
Tekebaev said he showed them his official permit to carry a special service-award pistol and the officers let him go.
Tekebaev had harshly criticized Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev and his policies in remarks to attendees at the rally.