Two candidates for Kyrgyzstan’s presidency withdraw from race
BISHKEK. July 24. KAZINFORM Candidate from Kyrgyzstan's United Opposition Almazbek Atambayev and self-nominated candidate Zhenishbek Nazaraliyev have announced their intention to withdraw from the ongoing presidential election in the republic, Kazinform refers to Itar-Tass.
They told about this at a news conference in Bishkek on Thursday.
Atambayev said the opposition would call on its supporters to take to streets later in the day and "tomorrow if need be."
According to the opposition, in the town of Balykchi, east of Bishkek, police used arms to disperse the rally of the opposition protesting against the election's organization and arrested two leaders of the United Opposition's regional offices.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry confirmed that supporters of the opposition took to streets of Balykchi, but denied that police used arms and tear gas against protesters, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com for full version.