TENSION SAID TO FOLLOW ARREST OF ISLAMISTS IN KYRGYZSTAN.

According to the weekend issue of Vechernyi Bishkek, Kyrgyz police has beefed up patrols in the city of Osh and has set up cordons around the city. Osh is described as “tense” following the arrest of three residents on suspicion of having set off explosions in the city on May 30 and on June 1 and 11. The authorities describe the suspects as Islamic fundamentalists and claim to have found “Wahhabi literature” in their possession. The city and region of Osh are known as strongholds of Muslim piety. In the capital Bishkek, a Tajik citizen was arrested on charges of “propagating Wahhabism” and calling for “Jihad.” (Vechernyi Bishkek cited by Russian agencies, June 13, see also the Monitor, June 12) –VS

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