Putin calls on Kyrgyz government, opposition for restraint

MOSCOW, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on the Kyrgyz government and opposition for restraint on Wednesday, after a day of clashes in the capital Bishkek.

"No matter what is going on there, it's Kyrgyzstan's domestic affair. The only thing I ask is that the authorities and opposition demonstrate restraint and refrain from violence," Putin said at a news conference in Moscow, quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency.

The prime minister stressed that Russia was not involved in Kyrgyz riot.

"Neither Russia nor Russian officials have anything to do with these events," he said.

Clashes between police and opposition protesters in Kyrgyzstan continued on Wednesday, as protesters stormed into parliament building, took over the national TV and radio building and set fire on government offices in Bishkek.

At least 40 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured in the violent clashes, the Kyrgyz Health Ministry said.