Support The Moscow Times!

Kyrgyz Stage Anti-Government Rally

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Several thousand people rallied in a southern Kyrgyzstan town that has been rocked in recent years by political and ethnic violence.

The protesters demanded the resignation of the government.

Demonstrators at Tuesday's rally in Jalal-Abad held signs protesting the government's failure to honor promises to issue low-interest loans to farmers and improve the economy.

Local residents said about 5,000 people attended the peaceful rally, which was addressed by several major opposition leaders.

Rowdy mass open-air political rallies are common in Kyrgyzstan as the weather begins improving.

Discontent over living conditions and corruption spiraled in 2010 into street violence that led to the overthrow of then-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more