Overthrown Kyrgyz president Bakiyev feels responsible for riots
11/04/201023:57
JALAL-ABAD, April 11 (RIA Novosti) - Overthrown Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev who fled Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek following mass riots said Sunday he feels personal responsibility for the unrests that left over 80 killed.
Protests began in the northwestern Kyrgyz town of Talas on Tuesday and spread to other regions of the country including the capital, Bishkek, on Wednesday and Thursday. More than 1,500 people were injured. The opposition formed an interim government and said the armed forces, police and border guards moved over to its side.
"Of course, I feel responsibility for what happened. I am the president and such things happen. I can't say there is no fault of mine. My fault is that I let it happen," Bakiyev told RIA Novosti.
He added that had he known about the protests beforehand, he would have prepared and not let the events happen as they did.
"I watched the funeral on TV and felt great anguish," Bakiyev said.
Bakiyev, who is in the country's south and does not want to resign, also warned against trying to use military force against him as unconfirmed reports emerged that a special forces unit could fly in to Jalal-Abad soon with the purpose to detain Bakiyev.
"I don't recommend them to talk to me from the position of force," he said.
Experts say that if Bakiyev keeps a hold on the south of the country, where he traditionally has the most support, a civil war between the north and the south could be a possibility.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
