Kyrgyz Official Denies Troops Involved in Southern Violence

Kyrgyzstan’s ombudsman, Tursunbek Akun, has flatly denied any involvement on the part of Kyrgyz troops in the atrocities inflicted on the Uzbek community in Osh.

Responding to questions from EurasiaNet on June 17, Akun insisted reports to the contrary were “total disinformation.”

“The Kyrgyz Army does not shoot at peaceful citizens. This is total disinformation and incorrect information. There were unknown people driving in cars without car plates in military uniform who were shooting at everyone,” he said.

Testimony from the survivors of almost a week of bloodshed in Kyrgyzstan’s southern provinces differs significantly.

A range of organizations are now calling for a full and independent investigation into the events that have left hundreds dead and 400,000 displaced, according to the United Nations.