Bishkek Rally Held Against Kumtor Gold Mine

Hundreds of people gather for a rally against the Kumtor gold mine outside the parliament building in Bishkek on October 3.

Police officers form a cordon in front of the government headquarters in Bishkek.

Riot police were also drafted in for the cordon around government headquarters.

The protesters were angry about environmental damage caused by the mine as well as alleged financial irregularities.

Some protesters attempt to enter the fenced perimeter around the parliament building.

Police detain a protester during the rally

Mounted police patrol on a central square in Bishkek

The road to the Kumtor gold mine, which lies in the Tien Shan Mountains

Dump trucks carry extracted gold ore from the mine site to a processing plant.

Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiev (second right) listens to Michael Fischer (right), president of Kumtor Operating Company, during an official visit to the Kumtor mine on October 1.