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Opposition Protesters March Across Kyrgyzstan

Protesters gather in the provincial capital of Naryn

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 07.04.2010 08:24

BISHKEK (RFE/RL) -- Thousands of opposition demonstrators have surrounded the Kyrgyz presidential building as protests against President Kurmanbek Bakiev grow.

RFE/RL correspondents in Bishkek report that Kyrgyz authorites have deployed special police and soldiers to protect the presidential compound.

According to RFE/RL correspondents, the size of the demonstration has grown dramatically as protesters try to push their way through the security cordon and past metal gates that protect the White House building. The demonstrators were not seen to be carrying weapons.

Some were throwing stones at police, who were using tear gas and firing stun grenades and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Earlier today, authorities fired tear gas and stun grenades on a crowd of antigovernment demonstrators outside the offices of the main opposition party.

In the northwest town of Talas overnight, protesters retook the government building and are demanding Bakiev's resignation. Thousands of demonstrators on April 6 had stormed the government offices in Talas but were forced out of the building by riot police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Meanwhile, prosecutors today accused several detained opposition leaders of "serious crimes." Among the opposition leaders detained on April 6 were Almazbek Atambaev of the opposition Social Democrats, and Omurbek Tekebaev of the main Ata-Meten party.

The whereabouts of Roza Otunbaeva -- the only major opposition leader not yet detained -- were not immediately known. Her spokesperson said she is in hiding for fear of being arrested.

More Coverage From RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service

Crowds of protesters also have been reported in the city of Osh and the town of Tokmok, while thousands of demonstrators were gathering in the provincial capital of Naryn.

Internet access is reported down in some areas. 

Weeks Of Tension

The clashes have erupted after weeks of tension between the opposition and the government of President Bakiev, which they accuse of cracking down on independent media and fostering corruption.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for restraint on all sides. Ban spoke as he wrapped up his first visit to Central Asia as UN secretary-general.

Earlier in the week in Kyrgyzstan, Ban criticized Bishkek authorities for human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch has called on the Kyrgyz government to allow peaceful opposition protests to take place on April 7, and to refrain from force to break up gatherings. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has expressed "concern" over the unrest.

Dissatisfaction with Bakiev and his government has been growing for months.

Bakiev came to power after the People's, or "Tulip" Revolution in March 2005 that ousted longtime President Askar Akaev, who many felt was turning the Kyrgyz government into a family business.

Opposition groups today are making the same claim about Bakiev, who has appointed his brothers to state positions and his 32-year-old son Maksim to head the state agency for economic