Massive rally in support of mayor ends in Osh without incidents.

BISHKEK, August 20 (Itar-Tass) - A massive rally in support of Osh
Mayor Melis Myrzakmatov has ended in the southern Kyrgyz city without any incidents.

According to various estimates, 4,000-5,000 people were
participating in the rally. "After the speeches delivered by Myrzakmatov
and Deputy Prime Minister Azimbek Beknazarov people came home," the
eyewitnesses said.
The rumours about an arrest of the Osh mayor in Bishkek three days ago
caused the protest action. All these days Myrzakmatov did not answer the
phone calls and his whereabouts were unclear. On Friday, at the rally he
stated that members of the government had been keeping him in the Kyrgyz
capital for three days and offered to choose between several high posts.
"But I decided to remain at the post of the city mayor," Myrzakmatov
underlined.
Myrzakmatov said earlier in an interview that during his stay in
Bishkek law enforcers were attempting to arrest him, but the mayor's
bodyguards prevented them from doing this. The Osh mayor is also
well-known for his statements against bringing the OSCE police forces in
the southern Kyrgyz region and that he does not intend to let
representatives of several political parties in Osh during the election
campaign for the parliamentary elections in the country due on October 10.
-0-baz/gor