BISHKEK, June 18 (RIA Novosti, Yulia Orlova) - The Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office has launched criminal proceedings against participants in the public protest in the capital Bishkek on June 17.They are accused of a state coup attempt, Prosecutor General Azimbek Beknazarov said.In all, 216 protesters were detained yesterday, he added. Some of them were released after interrogation. About 2,000 supporters of businessmen Urmat Baryktabasov, a citizen of Kazakhstan barred from the upcoming presidential poll, occupied part of the Kyrgyz government building. Police armed with truncheons used smoke boxes to disperse the crowd. The protesters threw stones at policemen.
Acting Kyrgyz Vice Premier Daniyar Usenov described the events in Bishkek as counterrevolution. According to him, the Kyrgyz and Kazakh law enforcement bodies launched a number of criminal cases against Baryktabasov.
Acting Vice Premier Adakhan Madumarov said that "authorities would take tough measures" against any rallies of this kind.
