Opposition leader arrested in Kyrgyzstan over coup attempt

According to the statement, Baryktabasov demanded he should be appointed the prime minister and that the authorities drop all of his criminal charges.

"The demands are unrealistic obviously. Baryktabasov can not expect to see his demands satisfied. Some of his supporters were armed. There are signs that he is plotting a coup again," said Otunbayeva.

Kyrgyz police fired into the air to disperse some 2,000 demonstrators assembling outside Bishkek to support Baryktabasov. The crowd called for Baryktabasov's appointment as the prime minister.

Keneshbek Dushebayev, head of the Kyrgyz National Security Service, said that 12 of the 27 people arrested were Baryktabasov's hardcore supporters.

Dushebayev said the Kyrgyz police have also seized some firearms, Xinhuanet reports.

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