BISHKEK - Kyrgyz opposition supporters Thursday took control of the main government compound in the capital after hundreds of riot police abandoned their posts around the building.
The demonstrators, many armed with rocks and wooden sticks, smashed the windows of the concrete Soviet-era structure and threw portraits of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and documents out the windows. Several waved the national flag of Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile another group of protestors was reported to be headed toward the Bishkek`s mayor`s office.
Hundreds of riot police and soldiers who had been guarding the White House, which serves as the seat of Kyrgyzstan`s presidency and government, deserted their positions and were reported to have retreated toward the defense ministry nearby.
Television images showed the police, taking cover behind metal riot shields, being pelted by stones as they withdrew.
03/24/2005 10:47 GMT