BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz authorities say they are investigating two audio recordings apparently featuring the voices of opposition politicians discussing ways to overthrow the government.
Interior Ministry spokesman Bakyt Seitov told RFE/RL on March 22 that the audio recordings' authenticity was being checked.
The two audio recordings circulated on the Internet on March 21-22. They carried voices similar to those of several opposition politicians discussing ways to seize power in Kyrgyzstan.
One of the politicians apparently involved, Bektur Asanov, confirmed to RFE/RL that such a discussion had taken place, but said the talks touched upon legal ways to hand over power to another government.
Asanov called the audio recordings' appearance on the Internet as "an attempt to blackmail the opposition."