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April 7, 2010
Unrest rocks Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) -- Anti-government unrest rocked the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday as thousands of protesters stormed the main government building, set fire to the prosecutor's office and looted state TV headquarters. At least 17 people were killed and at least 180 wounded in clashes, the government said. The opposition took over state television and announced that it was negotiating with the president and demanding he step down. Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the claim. The eruption of violence shattered the relative stability of this mountainous former Soviet nation, which houses a U.S. military base that is a key supply center in the fight against the Taliban in nearby Afghanistan. Furious over government corruption and a recent hike in power prices, demonstrators looted the state television and radio building. Elite police opened fire to drive crowds back from government headquarters. Protesters marched toward the Interior Ministry in the capital, Bishkek, according to Associated Press reporters on the scene, before changing direction and attacking a national security building nearby. They were repelled by security forces. (23 images)

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A Kyrgyz opposition protester throws a projectile at riot police during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. Police in Kyrgyzstan opened fire on thousands of angry protesters who tried to seize the main government building amid rioting in the capital as protests spread across the Central Asian nation. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko


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A Kyrgyz opposition supporter waves the national flag near the main government building during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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A Kyrgyz riot policemen's car burns near the Government building in the capital Bishkek on April 7. Opposition followers killed Kyrgyzstan's interior minister, took the deputy prime minister hostage and captured state television in a deadly revolt against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz riot police block a road during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz police open fire on protestors near the main government buildings in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters attack policemen and servicemen during a protest against the Government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz riot policemen try to stop opposition supporters during protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Blooded Kyrgyz police officers huddle together for protection, as they are attacked by protestors in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7, following clashes with police. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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A Kyrgyz protester kicks out at captured police officers at the opposition headquarters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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Kyrgyz protesters beat police officers at the opposition headquarters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters attack a riot police member during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz protesters burn a police uniform following clashes with police in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. Police in Kyrgyzstan opened fire on thousands of angry protesters who tried to seize the main government building amid rioting in the capital as protests spread across the Central Asian nation. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters clash with police during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters clash with retreating police during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz police officers throw themselves over a wall as they flee from angry protesters, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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A Kyrgyz opposition supporter waves a flag as police forces at rear point their rifles towards him during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz policemen try to stop opposition supporters during a protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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A Kyrgyz opposition supporter fires an automatic weapon near the main government building during a protest against the government in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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Kyrgyz opposition supporters carry a man injured near the main government building during an anti-government protest in Bishkek on April 7. AFP / Getty Images / Vyacheslav Oseledko



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An ambulance packed with injured people prepares to leave the main government building in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, April 7. AP / Ivan Sekretarev



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