Kyrgyz Demonstrators Demand Fair Trial For Opposition Leaders

Opposition leaders Kamchybek Tashiev, Sadyr Japarov, and Talant Mamytov (left to right) in court in Bishkek earlier in January.

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan -- About 700 supporters of Kyrgyzstan's opposition Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party have taken part in a protest in the southern city of Jalal-Abad.

During the demonstration on January 31 they demanded a fair trial for their party's leaders, their transfer from jail to house arrest, and the immediate dissolution of parliament.

At least 50 protesters were on horseback.

The demonstrators adopted a resolution saying they would organize many more protests if their demands were not met.

Kamchybek Tashiev, Sadyr Japarov, and Talant Mamytov have been charged with inciting unrest and attempting to overthrow the government.

The three politicians were arrested in October 2012 for organizing violent antigovernment protests by about 1,000 demonstrators in front of the parliament building in Bishkek.

Their trial resumed on January 31.