Akayev in foreign plot claims over Kyrgyz poll

KYRGYZ President Askar Akayev has charged the country’s opposition with attempting a coup in protests over a disputed parliamentary poll, claiming the effort was financed and managed from abroad.

“The actions of home- grown revolutionaries are a direct challenge to the people and the government. These personalities are directed and funded from abroad and are causing direct damage to the interests of the people,” Mr Akayev told reporters in the capital yesterday.

The statement followed a week of intense protests after a March 13 run-off election that saw the opposition’s presence in the 75-member parliament reduced to a handful of seats. Earlier the Kyrgyz leader ruled out instituting a state of emergency to deal with the situation as he addressed the first session of the new parliament.