The Russian embassy in Kyrgyzstan is concerned...
Protests against Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his government began April 6 in the country"s northwest and grew violent, spreading to other regions of the country, including the capital Bishkek. More than 80 people were killed and some 1,500 were injured. The opposition formed an interim government. Bakiyev fled Bishkek and is in the country"s south - his traditional stronghold.
Describing the current situation, Viktor Kharchenko said Russians in Kyrgyzstan ask diplomats if they need to leave because of the unrest in the country and say they are afraid of staying.
"The Russian embassy in Kyrgyzstan is extremely concerned over reports lately from Russian citizens and ethnic Russians [with Kyrgyz citizenship] in regard to particular forces attempting to intensify the interethnic situation in the country," the Russian embassy statement said.
The diplomat said people express concerns over "just walking down the streets."