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Kyrgyz provisional authorities dismiss parliament, take over from president, govt.; 74 killed in protests (WRAPUP 1)

RIA Novosti

08/04/201011:42

BISHKEK, April 8 (RIA Novosti) - The head of Kyrgyzstan's provisional authorities declared on Thursday that they were dismissing parliament and taking over from President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his government after a day of bloody protests in the capital of the ex-Soviet Central Asian state.

Opposition-nominated premier Roza Otunbayeva told a press conference the provisional government will work for six months to stabilize the situation and prepare changes in the constitution. The opposition accuses Bakiyev of mishandling the impoverished country and encouraging nepotism.

Protests, that have so far left at least 74 people dead and more than 500 injured, are ongoing. They started in the northwestern Kyrgyz town of Talas on Tuesday after a few opposition leaders were arrested and spread to other regions of the country, including the capital Bishkek, on Wednesday.

Later the arrestees were released but it did not stop the protests. National TV, parliament and government buildings were seized by protestors. They also burnt Bakiyev's residence in Bishkek.

Opposition claims to be in control

Kyrgyzstan's government formed by the opposition said Thursday the country's armed forces, border guards and police have moved over to the opposition side.

Otunbayeva said the opposition, whose powerbase is in the north of the country, controls four out of Kyrgyzstan's seven regions. She added that President Bakiyev has not given up his post and is trying to organize resistance in the country's south where he traditionally has more support.

"The situation with Bakiyev remains unclear. He has not resigned and is in Jalal-Abad now. He is trying to consolidate the electorate to continue resistance," Otunbayeva said.

Some 500 people gathered for a rally in Osh, where Bakiyev has a residence, to demand the former president's resignation, an eyewitness told RIA Novosti on the phone.

Bakiyev was earlier said to be in Osh. There have also been reports that he could have left the country.

Unrest continues

A RIA Novosti correspondent at the scene reported on Thursday that crowds have set fire to and looted parts of the government headquarters in capital Bishkek.

Around 1,000 people gathered in the square in front of the building and looters were carrying equipment and carpets out of the building. Smoke could be seen rising from the sixth and seven floors, where the presidential offices are.

A blood-splattered portrait of Bakiyev was hanging from a fence in front of the government building.

Fires were raging across the city and shops have been looted. Similar scenes have been reported throughout the country.

The opposition called for calm and urged people to stop looting.

Despite the chaos, Bishkek mayor Nariman Tuleyev has said that vital services would be maintained. Street sweepers, out as usual on Thursday morning, could be seen clearing up the debris from three days of violent protests.

Major political unrest started in Kyrgyzstan last month when the opposition forces accused the government of tightening its grip on power while failing to bring stability and economic growth.

The situation escalated on Tuesday, when several opposition leaders were arrested after police and activists clashed in the northwestern town of Talas, and the unrest spread to other parts of the country on Wednesday.

Opposition supporters on Wednesday seized a number of state organizations in Bishkek. The government and opposition leaders held talks, but the Kabar news agency reported that they failed.

Reaction

Both Russia and the United States both have military bases in Kyrgyzstan and have taken an interest in the events there.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that the clashes in Kyrgyzstan were an extreme form of public protest and called the Central Asian country Russia's strategic partner.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on the Kyrgyz government and opposition to restrain from violence. Putin also denied claims by a number of Kyrgyz opposition leaders that he had expressed support for the protestors. He said Russia has played no role in the events in Kyrgyzstan.

The United States expressed concern over the mass disorders in the country and said it was closely watching the situation. It also called on all sides to refrain from violence and display restraint.