Bishkek, 16 March 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyz Interior Ministry police broke through the window of an administration building in the Jalal-Abad region today to release a district administration official who was being held hostage by antigovernment protesters inside.
The police operation happened in the town of Bazar-Korgon. There were no injuries reported during the operation, which secured the official's release.
Protesters in Bazar-Korgon have occupied the administration building and were holding the official inside to protest the results of Kyrgyzstan's recent parliamentary elections.
Kyrgyzstan's opposition says the recent parliamentary elections were rigged in favor of the government. They want the results -- which saw President Askar Akaev maintain an overwhelmingly loyal parliament -- cancelled and a re-vote held.
Meanwhile, some 600 opposition protesters in the town of Kochkor, in the eastern Naryn Province, have also occupied a local administration building.
Earlier, in the western Talas District, protesters released two administration officials they were keeping inside the administration building there.
(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)
Protesters in Bazar-Korgon have occupied the administration building and were holding the official inside to protest the results of Kyrgyzstan's recent parliamentary elections.
Kyrgyzstan's opposition says the recent parliamentary elections were rigged in favor of the government. They want the results -- which saw President Askar Akaev maintain an overwhelmingly loyal parliament -- cancelled and a re-vote held.
Meanwhile, some 600 opposition protesters in the town of Kochkor, in the eastern Naryn Province, have also occupied a local administration building.
Earlier, in the western Talas District, protesters released two administration officials they were keeping inside the administration building there.
(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)