Five dead, over 200 injured as looting continues in Bishkek
{{date|March 25, 2005}}
[[File:Bischkek.jpg|180px|right|thumb|File photo of Bishkek, site of the looting ''Source: [[w:de:Benutzer:Hunne|Hunne]]'']]RTR television reported 5 people died and about 200 were injured as looting continued Thursday night in the [[w:Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyz]] capital of [[w:Bishkek|Bishkek]]. The newly appointed head of security ministries, Felix Kulov, said at least 31 police officers were wounded.

Windows were smashed, shops were looted, and shopping centers were set ablaze during the unrest. Gunshots were also heard.

"Former President [[w:Askar Akayev|[Askar] Akayev]] is personally responsible for this. He had a chance to resign, instead of which he ran away," Kulov said. "The looters kept shouting 'this shop belonged to the [Akayev] family, this is why it is ours'."

The Kyrgyz ambassador to the [[w:United States|United States]], Baktybek Adrisaev, characterized the opposition's actions as "an anti-constitutional coup." The ambassador claimed that Akayev was in "a safe place" and that he had not resigned.

Most reports, although unconfirmed, said Akayev was in [[w:Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]]. However, [[w:Interfax|Interfax]], by a source they described as "credible", reported he was in the resort area of Borovoye, in the Akmola region of northern Kazakhstan.

"I cannot confirm these rumors. He is simply not here," Ruslan Aubakirov, head of district administration, told RIA Novosti in response to the reports.

Opposition MP Ishinbai Kadyrbekov had initially been named acting president yesterday, but today opposition leader [[w:Kurmanbek Bakiyev|Kurmanbek Bakiyev]] was named both acting president and prime minister. "Parliament today appointed me prime minister and gave me the functions of president," he said to applause at a rally.

He urged opposition supporters to not allow looting and stressed that popular opposition figure, Felix Kulov, would coordinate law enforcement. Heads of law enforcement agencies reportedly told Kulov that 90% of their staff were demoralized during consultations last night. Despite these developments, Bakiyev declined to declare a state of emergency.
[[File:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|180px|right|thumb|The flag of Kyrgyzstan ''Source: [[Commons:user:SKopp|SKopp]]'']]
Bakiyev, outlining his plans for government on Friday, told a session of parliament, "Let me create an executive body of power that will not exist forever, but for about three months."

Kulov, newly freed from prison by protesters, stated he would return to prison when he was no longer needed. "I was sentenced to imprisonment 
and must serve my time," he said. "I am not interested in posts or positions. I was just asked to help protect people and their property."

[[w:Russia|Russia]] and the United States, who both have military bases in the country, vowed to stay out of events. Security at Russia's base was increased, although both countries said they did not expect trouble at their bases.

"Kyrgyzstan is not planning to review its previous international engagements," [[w:Kurmanbek Bakiyev|Kurmanbek Bakiyev]] told reporters. "This applies to the air bases of the [U.S.-led] anti-terrorism coalition and the Russian air base at Kant."

The United States called for fresh elections [http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/43821.htm], and Russia has pledged to work with the opposition. Russian President [[w:Vladimir Putin|Vladimir Putin]] also announced that Akayev would be welcome in Russia.[http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/speeches/2005/03/25/1909_type82914_85908.shtml]

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
{{wikipediapar|Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Akayev flees Kyrgyzstan as protesters seize control of Bishkek|date=March 24, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=New Kyrgz interior minister says force may be used, riot police clash with protesters in Bishkek|date=March 23, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Kyrgyz government declares elections valid, refuses to declare state of emergency as opposition cements control of the south|date=March 23, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Kyrgyz president orders election probe as protesters seize control of second city|date=March 22, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Violent protests break out in Kyrgyzstan over allegedly rigged parliamentary elections|date=March 21, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aYRgFeJEFLvU&refer=top_world_news
 |title=Putin Says Ousted Kyrgyzstan Leader Welcome in Russia (Update1)
 |author=
 |pub=Bloomberg
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5476052&startrow=1&date=2005-03-25&do_alert=0
 |title=KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT APPOINTS BAKIYEV ACTING PRESIDENT
 |author=
 |pub=RIA Novosti
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5476138&startrow=1&date=2005-03-25&do_alert=0
 |title=STATE OF EMERGENCY WILL NOT BE DECLARED IN KYRGYZSTAN FOR NOW
 |author=
 |pub=RIA Novosti
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG4_sub.asp?newscode=97140&catcode=ENG4&subcatcode=
 |title=Russia tightens security at Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan:spokesman
 |author=
 |pub=UNI
 |date=March 24, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1681212,00.html
 |title=Kyrgyzstan 'to stay as is'
 |author=
 |pub=SA
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=11260561
 |title=New govt to rule Kyrgyzstan for three months - Bakiyev
 |author=
 |pub=Interfax
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/25/world/main683025.shtml
 |title=Kyrgyzstan: New Leader In Place
 |author=
 |pub=CBS/AP
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=8003384
 |title=Kyrgyz Opposition Names President, Russia Supports
 |author=Michael Steen
 |pub=Reuters
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8002392&pageNumber=1
 |title=Opposition Names New Kyrgyz Acting President
 |author=
 |pub=Reuters
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=GO1DWTFSDYXO2CRBAEKSFFA?type=worldNews&storyID=8003048
 |title=Kyrgyz Revolt Unleashes Looting Frenzy
 |author=Christian Lowe
 |pub=Reuters
 |date=March 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=11260463
 |title=Akayev in resort area in northern Kazakhstan - source
 |author=
 |pub=Interfax
 |date=March 25, 2005}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Vladimir Putin]]
Bischkek.jpg|180px|right|thumb|File photo of Bishkek, site of the looting Source: HunneRTR television reported 5 people died and about 200 were injured as looting continued Thursday night in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. The newly appointed head of security ministries, Felix Kulov, said at least 31 police officers were wounded.

Windows were smashed, shops were looted, and shopping centers were set ablaze during the unrest. Gunshots were also heard.

"Former President w:Askar Akayev|Askar Akayev is personally responsible for this. He had a chance to resign, instead of which he ran away," Kulov said. "The looters kept shouting 'this shop belonged to the Akayev family, this is why it is ours'."

The Kyrgyz ambassador to the United States, Baktybek Adrisaev, characterized the opposition's actions as "an anti-constitutional coup." The ambassador claimed that Akayev was in "a safe place" and that he had not resigned.

Most reports, although unconfirmed, said Akayev was in Kazakhstan. However, Interfax, by a source they described as "credible", reported he was in the resort area of Borovoye, in the Akmola region of northern Kazakhstan.

"I cannot confirm these rumors. He is simply not here," Ruslan Aubakirov, head of district administration, told RIA Novosti in response to the reports.

Opposition MP Ishinbai Kadyrbekov had initially been named acting president yesterday, but today opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev was named both acting president and prime minister. "Parliament today appointed me prime minister and gave me the functions of president," he said to applause at a rally.

He urged opposition supporters to not allow looting and stressed that popular opposition figure, Felix Kulov, would coordinate law enforcement. Heads of law enforcement agencies reportedly told Kulov that 90% of their staff were demoralized during consultations last night. Despite these developments, Bakiyev declined to declare a state of emergency.
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|180px|right|thumb|The flag of Kyrgyzstan Source: SKopp
Bakiyev, outlining his plans for government on Friday, told a session of parliament, "Let me create an executive body of power that will not exist forever, but for about three months."

Kulov, newly freed from prison by protesters, stated he would return to prison when he was no longer needed. "I was sentenced to imprisonment 
and must serve my time," he said. "I am not interested in posts or positions. I was just asked to help protect people and their property."

Russia and the United States, who both have military bases in the country, vowed to stay out of events. Security at Russia's base was increased, although both countries said they did not expect trouble at their bases.

"Kyrgyzstan is not planning to review its previous international engagements," Kurmanbek Bakiyev told reporters. "This applies to the air bases of the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition and the Russian air base at Kant."

The United States called for fresh elections , and Russia has pledged to work with the opposition. Russian President Vladimir Putin also announced that Akayev would be welcome in Russia.
Asia Kyrgyzstan Politics and conflicts Elections Vladimir Putin