Bishkek Market Traders Stage Angry Protest

A protest by market traders in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek over the demolition of their stalls and kiosks has been taken seriously enough for parliament to look into the matter.

Traders from the Osh Bazaar held an angry demonstration after they failed to get satisfaction from the mayor’s office. Some called for Bishkek mayor Isa Omurkulov to resign, saying their kiosks and good had been seized overnight after he ordered the clearance of structures that did not have planning permission, in line with an urban development plan.

Traders believe the demolitions were sanctioned because the market has been sold to Turkish investors. A spokesperson for the mayor denied that any sale had taken place, or was even possible.

Supporters of the mayor believe the protests have been stirred up by political forces, a common theme in Kyrgyzstan, where two presidents have been overthrown by protesters led by opposition leaders but roused to anger by economic hardship.

The audio programme, in Russian and Kyrgyz, went out on national radio stations in Kyrgyzstan, as part of IWPR project work funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.