Protests rage in Kyrgyzstan

• Tweet

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Protesters in the southern Kyrgyz city of Jalal Abad vowed to continue demonstrating against the government until opposition leaders are freed.

Protests erupted in Kyrgyzstan after members of the Ata-Zhurt slate were arrested following a rally in Bishkek in early October. First Deputy Prime Baktybek Alymbekov had said an investigation was under way into the attempted takeover of the country's White House following the protests.

Around 1,000 people gathered in the central square in the southern city of Jalal Abad to protest for the release of the opposition figures, the country's 24.kg news agency reports.

Opposition leader Rashit Sulaimanov was quoted as saying demonstrations would continue until protesters' demands are met. More protests were planned for Wednesday, he added.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev was prompted to form a new government after political parties Ar-Namys and Ata-Meken left the ruling coalition August.

Atambayev, a former prime minister, secured the presidency by winning 63 percent of the vote in an election that followed a coup in 2010.

Following the coup, at least 400 people were killed during violence between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks in the southern regions of Osh and Jalal Abad.