(AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)The embattled president of Kyrgyzstan has ordered a state of emergency in the capital in a bid to end the political turmoil sparked by a disputed parliamentary election. Following an initial attempt to break up protests immediately after the vote, police pulled back and refrained from intervening with the demonstrations. Mr Atambayev spoke to demonstrators who flooded central Bishkek on Friday, urging them to refrain from violence. Soon after he spoke, supporters of Mr Zhaparov attacked Mr Atambayev’s supporters, throwing stones and bottles. Mr Jeenbekov has used infighting between his foes to dig in.

Source: Irish Independent October 09, 2020 12:40 UTC