Police kill protesters in Kyrgyzstan capital

At least four people died when police opened fire on a crowd of protesters in the capital of Kyrgyzstan today.

Thousands of angry over the arrests of opposition leaders tried to seize the main government building in Bishkek after chasing and beating up dozens of police officers.

Police initially used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons and concussion grenades against the crowds, who were disarming officers and seizing their vehicles.

Several officers were seen bleeding heavily.

The protesters tried to use one of the police vehicles to ram the gates of the government headquarters, known as the White House.

The unrest is also affecting the western town of Talas and the southern city Naryn.

The opposition has been galvanised by what they see as an increasingly authoritarian President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.