Anti-government protests sweep Kyrgyzstan, govt says at least 17 are killed

Anti-govt protests sweep Kyrgyzstan, 17 said dead

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Anti-government protests have swept across the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan and riot police have opened fire on thousands storming the main government building in the capital of Bishkek.

The government says at least 17 people have been killed and least 180 wounded in clashes Wednesday.

The unrest has threatened the relative stability of this mountainous former Soviet nation whose military base is seen by both Russia and the U.S. as a key supply center in the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — The Kyrgyzstan Health Ministry says at least 180 people have been wounded in clashes between police and anti-government protesters in this Central Asian nation.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Elena Bayalinova gave the figure without specifying whether it included both police and civilians. She would not confirm any deaths.

Protests are spiraling in Kyrgyzstan, where anti-government demonstrators stormed the main government building and the state television station Wednesday in the capital of Bishkek. Police in Bishkek opened fire on the protesters and an opposition leader said at least 17 people were killed.

Another opposition activist, Shamil Murat, told The Associated Press he saw the dead body of Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev, who was beaten up by a mob in the western town of Talas.