BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's prime minister has promised serious repercussions for any attacks against regional officials in the country.
Jantoro Satybaldiev has ordered the Interior Ministry to thoroughly investigate attempts by protesters to take over the local government in the southern region of Osh.
On December 2, thousands of supporters of former parliament speaker Akmatbek Keldibekov twice stormed the headquarters of the Osh regional government, demanding Keldibekov's release from detention.
Fourteen police officers were seriously injured in the standoff. The protesters have vowed to return.
Keldibekov, a native of the Osh region, was arrested last month amid an investigation into alleged abuse of office and financial misdeeds while running the State Social Fund and Tax Service several years ago.
Keldibekov, a member of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Fatherland) party, served as parliament speaker in 2010-11.
Jantoro Satybaldiev has ordered the Interior Ministry to thoroughly investigate attempts by protesters to take over the local government in the southern region of Osh.
On December 2, thousands of supporters of former parliament speaker Akmatbek Keldibekov twice stormed the headquarters of the Osh regional government, demanding Keldibekov's release from detention.
Fourteen police officers were seriously injured in the standoff. The protesters have vowed to return.
Keldibekov, a native of the Osh region, was arrested last month amid an investigation into alleged abuse of office and financial misdeeds while running the State Social Fund and Tax Service several years ago.
Keldibekov, a member of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Fatherland) party, served as parliament speaker in 2010-11.
