Bishkek Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters

Police fired tear gas at the protesters after stones were thrown at the building.

The crowd later joined thousands of opposition supporters who had gathered in the nearby Alatoo Square to demand early presidential elections and constitutional reforms.

Police later dispersed most the protesters from the square and chased remaining groups in surrounding streets.

The presidential press service released a statement blaming opposition leaders for today's disturbances, which it described as "hooliganism."

Opposition leaders urged both the opposition supporters and police to restrain from violence and called for an end of the rally.

Tursunbek Akun, head of the human rights commission under President Bakiev, said Prime Minister Almaz Atambaev warned Interior Minister Bolotbek Nogoibaev not to use force against the protesters.

Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz government has started an emergency session to discuss the crisis.