ReliefWeb

17 June 2005 (RFE/RL) -- More than 100 protesters have stormed the main government building in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
Details are sketchy but news agencies are reporting the crowd is demanding Urmatbek Baryktabasov be allowed to register as a candidate for the 10 July presidential poll.

Violence has been increasing as the election approaches. On 13 June, several people were wounded when a crowd of some 200 stormed a hotel in the Kyrgyz city of Osh, in apparent protest against a lawmaker with a financial interest in the business. On 11 June, unidentified assailants burst into acting President Kurmanbek Bakiev's campaign headquarters, beating two guards. That incident followed the fatal shooting in Bishkek on 10 June of lawmaker Jyrgalbek Surabaldiev, an ally of ousted President Askar Akaev.

(RFE/Reuters/AFP/AP)