Kyrgyz interior minister killed in deadly protests

Anti-government protesters reportedly killed Kyrgyzstan's interior minister and took the deputy prime minister hostage on Wednesday.

The violent protesters, numbering in the thousands, also took over the country's sate television, AFP reported.

According to the Kyrgyz state news agency, Interior Minister Moldomus Kongantiyev was killed in Talas, where the demonstrations had erupted first.

Several protesters have also been killed or injured during the deadly demonstrations. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse some 5,000 opposition supporters marching towards the presidential offices.

Some reports say that security forces fired live rounds at the protesters after failing to disperse them with stun grenades and tear gas. A police source said at least 12 people were killed.

At least three opposition leaders have been arrested and charged with serious crimes.

In the central city of Naryn, protesters stormed the regional government headquarters.

Kyrgyzstan's government has declared a state of emergency. The demonstrations are part of nationwide rallies organized by the opposition.

The protesters say they are fed up with rising fuel prices and want President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122701&sectionid=351020406.