Netizens woke up on Saturday to grim videos showing violent mobs attacking foreigners, including Pakistani students, in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The videos, which went viral on various social media platforms, claimed multiple deaths of Pakistani students due to violence against international students.
The Pakistani embassy, citing the Kyrgyz government, has denied such rumours. However, it confirmed reports of “minor injuries” suffered by several Pakistani students.
Harassment involving Egyptian students
The violence in Bishkek is attributed to a harassment incident involving Egyptian female students on May 13.
speaking to Geographic news, Mohammad Abdullah, a Pakistani medical student in Bishkek, confirmed that the dispute began over harassment of Egyptian students by students from Kyrgyzstan. The riots, however, broke out after Egyptian students clashed with local students, he added.
Abdullah mentioned that Kyrgyz students began attacking foreign students, including Pakistani students, throughout Bishkek.
According to local Kyrgyz media, a fight broke out between local and foreign students at a hostel in the capital on May 13. At least three foreigners involved in the dispute were arrested.
On the afternoon of May 17, local media reported, locals protested in Bishkek, demanding action against the foreigners involved in the dispute.
The head of the Bishkek Internal Affairs Directorate called for an end to the protest.
Kyrgyz media reported that protesters refused to disperse and instead more people gathered at the site, after which authorities detained several of them for violating public order.
According to local media, the protesters dispersed after negotiations with the head of the federal police.
Meanwhile, three Egyptian citizens were detained at the facilities of the Central Directorate of Internal Affairs in Bishkek, reported 24kg.
According to local media, a case was opened against the suspects under article 280, part 2, paragraph 1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Up to 29 people were said to have been injured in the fighting and 15 people were taken to various hospitals, including a Pakistani national who suffered a broken jaw and was visited by Kyrgyz Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev.
Kyrgyz police and security services called for calm as they dispersed protesters who had gathered in large numbers at several locations in the city.
The head of the Bishkek Internal Affairs Directorate called for an end to the protest, while the detained foreigners also later apologized.
Kyrgyz media reported that protesters earlier refused to disperse, but rather more people gathered at the site, after which authorities detained several of them for violating public order.
according to 24kgTraffic was restored on all roads in Bishkek and the situation was “stable” and “under control.”
