JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan -- At least 1,500 protesters have gathered in Kyrgyzstan's southern city of Jalal-Abad to demand the release of three opposition members of parliament.
Last week, Kamchybek Tashiev, Sadyr Japarov, and Talant Mamytov -- who are leaders of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party -- were detained and charged with stirring public unrest for their role in violent protests by about 1,000 demonstrators in Bishkek on October 3.
Protesters were demanding the nationalization of the largest gold-mining operation in Kyrgyzstan, the Kumtor mine, which is owned by a Canada-based company.
Tashiev joined the crowd and called on protesters to overthrow the government.
Some protesters broke into the fenced perimeter around the parliament building.
Police subsequently dispersed the demonstrators.
On October 5, the trio's preliminary arrest was extended to two months.
Last week, Kamchybek Tashiev, Sadyr Japarov, and Talant Mamytov -- who are leaders of the opposition Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party -- were detained and charged with stirring public unrest for their role in violent protests by about 1,000 demonstrators in Bishkek on October 3.
Protesters were demanding the nationalization of the largest gold-mining operation in Kyrgyzstan, the Kumtor mine, which is owned by a Canada-based company.
Tashiev joined the crowd and called on protesters to overthrow the government.
Some protesters broke into the fenced perimeter around the parliament building.
Police subsequently dispersed the demonstrators.
On October 5, the trio's preliminary arrest was extended to two months.
