KYRGYZSTAN PROTESTERS STORM STATE MEDIA OFFICES

armradio.am
07.04.2010 17:45

Opposition supporters in Kyrgyzstan have stormed the offices of
state radio and TV amid escalating unrest over rising fuel prices
and corruption.

It comes after at least five people were killed in clashes between
police and protesters outside President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s offices.

There are reports police fired live rounds after failing to disperse
people with tear gas and stun grenades.

President Bakiyev has declared a state of emergency in protest-hit
areas.

The unrest broke out in the provincial town of Talas on Tuesday and
spread to the capital, Bishkek and another town, Narya, on Wednesday.

In Bishkek, protesters attempted to storm the president’s office but
were held back by security forces, who reportedly fired live rounds
into the crowd.

State media and television went off air briefly after protesters
stormed their offices. It is not clear if they are still under state
control, the BBC reports.