Thursday, March 24, 2005

Protesters oust Kyrgyz government

The opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning the president's palace.
Protesters confronted supporters of President Askar Akayev before flooding into government offices.

A prominent Kyrgyz opposition leader, Felix Kulov, made a televised appeal for calm after being freed from jail.

Demonstrations were stepped up after recent parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged.

An unconfirmed report by Interfax news agency said Mr Akayev and his family have left Bishkek by helicopter.

Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court has annulled February's controversial elections and recognised the former parliament as the legitimate legislature, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted court chairman, Kurmanbek Osmonov, as saying.

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