Renewed Kyrgyz clashes reported as Bayiyev makes public appearance

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Moscow - Tensions heightened Thursday in Kyrgyzstan after an appearance by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to rally his supporters turned into a violent confrontation with anti- Bakiyev forces, the Akipress news agency reported.

Bakiyev, who fled the capital, Bishkek, last week at the height of demonstrations against his regime, has been in seclusion in southern Kyrgyzstan, where he enjoys more support.

On Thursday, he appeared in the city of Osh, surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards, at an event to rally his supporters. But the hundreds of Bakiyev supporters were outnumbered by thousands of opponents, and fighting quickly broke out between the groups.

After his bodyguards fired shots into the air, Bakiyev quickly retreated from the event, Akipress reported.

Bakiyev, 60, has offered to resign if he and his family can be guaranteed safety.

Unconfirmed reports Thursday hinted that he might seek refuge in Russia, where his wife already is. Bakiyev reportedly conducted a phone conversation with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday night.

The interim government has also reversed itself, saying that it is no longer seeking Bakiyev's arrest and that he continues to enjoy immunity from prosecution.

"Based on current law, we have no right to arrest (Bakiyev)," said government spokesman Edil Baissalov.

The comments came after meetings between Kyrgyz officials and special representatives from Western nations.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/318823,renewed-kyrgyz-clashes-reported-as-bayiyev-makes-public-appearance.html.