Ethnic Uzbek Leader Says Ammunition Planted In His Osh Office

BISHKEK -- An ethnic Uzbek community leader in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh has alleged that ammunition found in his office was planted, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Jalaliddin Salakhuddinov, a former Kyrgyz parliament deputy, told RFE/RL that the reported discovery of ammunition in his Osh office during security operations that began on June 21 is a provocation by law-enforcement officers.

He said it could be retaliation for his critical statement regarding some Kyrgyz security forces' "illegal acts against local citizens."

At a meeting with Osh Commandant Kursan Asanov in the city's Sheiyt Dobo district on June 22, Salakhuddinov criticized security forces for reported cases of beatings and robbery of ethnic Uzbeks during security operations in Osh districts earlier this week.

Earlier today, Asanov told RFE/RL that a large amount of ammunition was found in Salakhuddinov's office and added that an investigation has been launched.