Kyrgyz opposition has captured the government compound

The Kyrgyz protesters were able to overcome riot police and penetrate into the main government compound in the country's capital Bishkek today. The Kyrgys president, Askar Akayev, is in hiding.

According the Guardian, about 1,000 protesters drove riot police from their positions protecting the building, and some of them were able to get inside the compound. Others smashed windows with stones, while hundreds of police stood by and watched. RIA Novosti reports that the Kyrgyz opposition has set up a coordination council intended to play a role of a provisional government. Mr. Akayev is reported to have asked for a political asylum on the territory of the Russian military base in the town of Kant. He is currently staying at his residence in Bishkek, local sources told Interfax with the reference to preliminary information.