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Kyrgyzstan protests end in violence and toppled government

The Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan is still reeling from the aftermath of a bloody uprising in the city of Bishkek and other cities in this poverty-ridden former Soviet Union republic, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

According to reports, trouble had been brewing for weeks, with demonstrations against hikes in utility and basic living costs, and reached fever-pitch on Tuesday and Wednesday, says Anita Deyneka of Russian Ministries.

In an e-mail update to ministry supporters, Deyuneka says: "When protestors invaded the main seat of government in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev gave the order to fire on the crowds. At the end of the violent day, most reports state that at least 75 people were killed and 400 people injured in nationwide clashes."

Deyneka says: "Ousted President Bakiyev has fled the capital but refuses to admit defeat or resign. Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva has dissolved parliament and said she would head an interim government."

According to Deyneka, the U.S. has a major interest in Kyrgyzstan, because of Manas airbase, a key hub for transporting NATO soldiers and weaponry into Afghanistan.

"Ruslan, one of Russian Ministries’ national ministry leaders, was in Kyrgyzstan when the violence erupted," Deyneka said.

In a phone call to Sergey Rakhuba, senior vice-president of Russian Ministries, Ruslan said that people are paralyzed and afraid to leave their homes. He said that snipers were on the rooftops, shooting innocent people.

Deymeka stated: "Christians are an often-persecuted minority in Central Asia, and that has motivated Russian Ministries to work closely with key church leaders throughout the country to establish a School Without Walls program there.

"Through this strategic leadership training program, young Next Generation Christian leaders will be equipped and mobilized to bring peace and gospel hope to an unsettled people," Deyneka said..

She added: "Just as the call to pray for peace went out last week after the bombings in Moscow’s famed metro subway system, Russian Ministries urges prayer for peace in Kyrgyzstan."

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[04/09/2010]

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