Protesters in Kyrgyzstan seize regional government headquarters

Kyrgyz protesters seize regional government office

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Opponents of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government have taken over a regional government building in the south in a sign of persistent political turbulence in the Central Asian nation.

Peace is gradually returning to Kyrgyzstan more than one month after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was overthrown amid violent clashes between government troops and demonstrators that left at least 85 people dead.

But supporters of the Bakiyev government have shown signs that they are regrouping in recent days and are holding public protests in favor of officials deposed in the wake of the anti-Bakiyev revolt.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Thursday morning in front of the regional government headquarters in the southern city of Osh to demand the return of former Gov. Mamasadyk Bakirov. Eyewitnesses say that after several minor scuffles broke out between interim government supporters and opponents, a crowd of around 500 people barged into the building and installed Bakirov in the governor’s office.

“I represent the legitimate government in Osh, and I was appointed governor on legal grounds, so my return to the workplace is legitimate,” Bakirov told reporters.

Witnesses say police did not intervene and watched the events unfold from around the perimeter of the building.

Acting Osh Gov. Sooronbai Jeenbekov said no attempt was made to impede the crowd’s progress into the government office to avoid an aggressive standoff.

“We are continuing to negotiate with them and explain to them the illegality of their actions,” Jeenbekov was quoted as saying by interim government spokesman Farid Niyazov.

Jeenbekov said the situation would soon be under control.

The provisional government has warned that Bakiyev supporters may provoke disturbances in a bid to unsettle the country, but interim Prime Minister Roza Otunbayeva said Thursday that the authorities are doing everything to avoid that happening.

“There is a danger for the country, but we are doing everything we can to prevent any attempts by Bakiyev’s forces to destabilize the situation in Kyrgyzstan,” Otunbayeva said.

Associated Press writer Peter Leonard in Bishkek contributed to this report.