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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Kyrgyzstan says coup attempt foiled |
| 2010-08-06 |
| [Arab News] Kyrgyz forces arrested an opposition party leader on suspicion of plotting the overthrow of the government on Thursday, after troops fired blank rounds into a crowd trying to join mass demonstrations near Parliament. Acting President Roza Otunbayeva said security forces seized firearms and grenades from Urmat Baryktabasov and 26 supporters after a day of protests in the capital of the Central Asian state, which plans to hold parliamentary elections in October. "All who attempt to destroy the peace of the citizens will be punished," said Otunbayeva. Her interim government has struggled to impose its authority since an uprising in April toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Savage ethnic fighting followed in June, killing more than 350 people over several days and forcing thousands from their homes. Baryktabasov, who staged a failed coup attempt in 2005, recently returned from exile. Early on Thursday, Kyrgyz troops stopped busloads of his supporters as they approached the capital from his hometown on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. After a standoff lasting several hours on a main road into Bishkek, troops fired tear gas and blank rounds to disperse the crowd. Local news agencies said two women were injured by rubber bullets. Keneshbek Dushebayev, head of the Kyrgyz National Security Service, told Reuters the army was acting on information that some of those arriving by bus were armed and might attempt to overthrow the interim government. "If their demands are not met, they are intent on seizing power," he said during the standoff in the village of Kirshyolk, as helicopters roared overhead. |
| Posted by:Fred |