What Kyrgyz Interim Government Does Following Clashes

Clashes broke out on Friday in the southern Kyrgyz city of Jalal-Abad between supporters of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and backers of the interim government.

Local media has reported fights between around 400-500 Bakiyev supporters and 4,000-5,000 backers of the interim government near the city’s administration building. At least 28 people have been injured.

Bakiyev supporters said earlier on Friday they were expecting 10,000 people to gather in Jalal-Abad in support of the ousted president. The interim government said the rally was “an attempt by Bakiyev’s supporters to gain revenge and destabilize the country”.

The situation in Kyrgyzstan, where bloody uprisings led to the overthrow of the government in early April, worsened on Thursday when administrative buildings in three southern regions were stormed by Bakiyev supporters.