Police clash with thousands of protestors in Kyrgyzstan

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

BISHKEK (AFP) — Police clashed with up to 7,000 protestors in front of Kyrgyzstan's main government complex as tensions mounted ahead of a presidential election that has been set for July following the ouster of veteran leader Askar Akayev.

The unrest built up after a group of around 1,000 protestors seized control of the central government building, known as the White House, in support of a businessman, Urmatbek Baryktabasov, disqualified from standing in the July 10 poll.

Riot police quickly drove the protestors from the building, which houses the election commission and the office of interim President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

But crowds outside then grew in size and rocks were thrown by both police and protestors. The security forces then fired tear gas,...