BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's self-declared interim government has announced several senior appointments, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
General Ismail Isakov, who was freed from jail last week after the antigovernment protests that caused President Kurmanbek Bakiev to flee Bishkek, was named defense minister.
Isakov had previously served as defense minister and National Security Council secretary under Bakiev from 2005-08. He left the government to join the opposition.
Bolot Sherniazov, a leader of the Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party, was named interior minister. His arrest in the northwestern town of Talas last week led to antigovernment protests there.
Almaz Atambaev was named the first deputy of Roza Otunbaeva, the chairwoman of the interim government.
Otunbaeva also announced the replacement of the ambassadors in several countries, including Turkey, the United States, Germany -- where the ambassador is Bakiev's brother, Marat -- and Russia, where Ambassador Raimkul Attakurov -- who is also related to Bakiev -- told RIA Novosti that he will only leave his post on Bakiev's orders.
Kyrgyz Health Ministry officials say that 82 people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes on April 7-8 between antigovernment protesters and security forces that brought the opposition to power.
General Ismail Isakov, who was freed from jail last week after the antigovernment protests that caused President Kurmanbek Bakiev to flee Bishkek, was named defense minister.
Isakov had previously served as defense minister and National Security Council secretary under Bakiev from 2005-08. He left the government to join the opposition.
Bolot Sherniazov, a leader of the Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party, was named interior minister. His arrest in the northwestern town of Talas last week led to antigovernment protests there.
Almaz Atambaev was named the first deputy of Roza Otunbaeva, the chairwoman of the interim government.
Otunbaeva also announced the replacement of the ambassadors in several countries, including Turkey, the United States, Germany -- where the ambassador is Bakiev's brother, Marat -- and Russia, where Ambassador Raimkul Attakurov -- who is also related to Bakiev -- told RIA Novosti that he will only leave his post on Bakiev's orders.
Kyrgyz Health Ministry officials say that 82 people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes on April 7-8 between antigovernment protesters and security forces that brought the opposition to power.
