Moscow: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on tuesday
gave orders to tighten security at Russian installations and
protect its citizens in Kyrgyzstan, amid incidences of
violence against ethnic minorities, including Russians.
Medvedev asked Defence Minister Valery Serdyukov to
increase security as reports of rampant looting and land
grabbing are on in the Central Asian Republic.
Moscow had earlier formally complained about the grabbing
of the property of ethnic Russians living or doing business in
the former Soviet republic.
The situation in Kyrgyzstan has been tense since the
ouster of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev by opposition parties on
April 6-7, this was followed by bloody riots across the
country that left around 90 dead and over 1500 injured as an
interim government came to power.
During the crisis Russia had sent two platoons of crack
paratroopers to protect its airbase in Kant near the Kyrgyz
capital Bishkek, the Kremlin today said.
Meanwhile, Belarus today announced giving refuge to
Bakiyev, RIA Novosti quoted Belarus President Alexander
Lukashenka as saying that deposed president has arrived in
Minsk.
"Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is in Minsk with
his family, under the protection of our state and my personal
protection," President Lukashenka announced in the parliament.
Bakiyev left Kyrgyzstan last week after being toppled. He
was initially in neighbouring Kazakhstan, but the Kazakh
foreign ministry yesterday informed of his departure without
specifying his destination.
While in Kyrgyzstan the interim government of Prime
Minister Roza Otunbayeva has announced that Bakiyev family's
assets would be used to compensate riot victims.
The interim government, which has announced plans to hold
referendum on new Kyrgyz constitution in October, is facing
challenge of violent land grabbing by rival clans.
In Bishkek, the police had to squeeze violent mob out of
the city, when it was grabbing empty lands in the outskirts.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 23:43