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Kyrgyz opposition's supporters, opponents clash in Bishkek

Iran Materials 7 November 2006 16:06 (UTC +04:00)

(Itar-Tass) - Tensions in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek are soaring. Several armored personnel carriers have been moved to the parliament's building.

Simultaneously crack troops armed with shields and truncheons approached the crowd of opposition protesters to stop several meters away, reports Trend.

At the moment the riot police have in fact disengaged the supporters and protesters of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Ambulances are arriving at Bishkek's central square where clashes occurred earlier in the day. Doctors are providing first aid to those affected by tear gas police had fired.

Four people received bullet wounds, as supporters and opponents of Kyrgyzstan's current authorities clashed in the central square of the capital Bishkek.

The Health Ministry has said those injured were taken to the national surgical hospital.

Another two persons suffered milder injuries, but had to be hospitalized, too.

The crowds of supporters and opponents of the president keeps growing. An estimated fifteen hundred demonstrators are present in the square at the moment.

As police dispersed protesters, about a dozen people were affected by tear gas. The opposition leaders have been urging their supporters to ignore provocations and refrain from conflicts with the police and the president's supporters.

Tuesday's clashes occurred after five days of protests by the opposition in support of the demand for President Bakiyev's resignation and for the adoption of a new constitution.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament last night unilaterally approved of a new fundamental law.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Felix Kulov said the decision was unlawful.

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