Minister killed by mob as Kyrgyzstan erupts

Riot police opened fire on thousands of protesters in the central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan today, killing at least 17 people and wounding 180.

An opposition activist, Shamil Murat, said he saw the body of interior minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev, who was beaten to death by a mob in the western town of Talas.

Mr Murat said the protesters had seized police headquarters on the second day of anti-government rallies, beat up Mr Kongatiyev and tried to force him to order his subordinates in the capital of Bishkek to stop a crackdown on a riot there.

Police in Bishkek first used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and stun grenades to try to control crowds of young men clad in black who were chasing officers, beating them and seizing their arms and vehicles. As thousands more stormed the main government building, police used live ammunition.

The protesters, furious at steep rises in the cost of energy and the authoritarian regime of president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, vowed not to be intimidated.

"We don't want this rotten power!" said Makhsat Talbadyev, one of the crowd in Bishkek waving opposition party flags and chanting: "Bakiyev out!"

At least 10 opposition leaders were arrested overnight, opposition spokeswoman Irina Karamushkina said. "Authorities chose terror as a response" to protests, she added.

Many of the opposition leaders are former allies of Mr Bakiyev, who had helped bring him to power in the protests of 2005 known as the Tulip Revolution.

They overthrew his predecessor, accusing him of corruption and cronyism. Now Mr Bakiyev is facing similar accusations — of sacrificing democracy to maintain peace, while enriching himself and his family.