Kyrgyzstan's Ombudsman Secures Uyghur Releases

Ethnic Uyghurs at the Bishkek ceremony to commemorate the victims of the July clashes in neighboring China.

BISHKEK -- Two Uyghur leaders in Kyrgyzstan have been released from detention following intervention by the Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbek Akun in their case, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Dilmurat Akbarov, the head of local Uyghur society Ittipak (Unity), was detained along with his deputy, Zhamaldin Nasyrov, following their appearance at an unsanctioned gathering in Bishkek that attracted an estimated 1,000 people.

The August 10 event was planned to honor the victims of ethnic clashes in China's neighboring Xinjiang region in early July.