Kyrgyzstan Riots Videos: Protesters Clashed With Riot Police

Kyrgyzstan Riots, 40 Died in Civil Unrest

The Central Asia nation Kyrgyzstan declared a state of emergency following violent protests in several cities. At least 40 people were killed, and more than 300 injured in the riots. The protesters seek the resignation of Kyrgyzstan president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the release of political prisoners. Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev was beaten by the crowd in the town of Talas, west of the capital Bishkek.

• What Caused Kyrgyzstan Unrests in Bishkek?

Protests began in the town of Talas on Tuesday, April 6. The crowd stormed the regional government office. Opposition activist told AP that the Interior Minister Kongatiyev was beaten to death, but the website Fergana.ru reported that he was badly beaten but did not die.

The worst riot took place in front of the president's office on Wednesday, April 7. More than 5,000 protesters demanded his resignation. At least 5 deaths were reported after police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and flash grenades. Opposition said that 17 had died after police fired live ammunition at the crowd. The government health officials announced that at least 40 have died in a series of violent clashes.

Opposition supporters staged the Kyrgyzstan riots. The opposition leader Omurbek Tekebayev said on TV that he wanted families to adopt the philosophy of "freedom or death." He said that the protest was part of their plan to pressure the president to meet their demands.

Anti-government protesters took over the state television center and announced that they were negotiating with the president, and forced all channels to go off air.