Kyrgyzstan's acting interior minister continues to serve despite reports that police protests in Bishkek had forced his dismissal, an interim government spokesman said on Tuesday.
"There has been no formal procedure to remove acting Interior Minister Bolot Sherniyazov from his post. He was and is the head of the ministry," he said.
Police in Bishkek went on strike on Monday and several hundred officers, mainly administrative and managerial staff, picketed the government building demanding Sherniyazov be replaced.
They complained that he was a political figure who should not have a role in law-enforcement policy and said the ministry should be lead by a professional.
The picket was brought to an end after five hours of negotiations with the interim government, which reportedly agreed to appoint a new interior minister.
Later on Monday, the state-run Kabar news agency posted on its website a message from the interim government stating that Sherniyazov had been dismissed and replaced by his deputy, Baktybek Alymbekov.
BISHKEK, April 20 (RIA Novosti)
