By Olzhas Auyezov and Mark Trevelyan
ALMATY (Reuters) – Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Sunday there had been casualties among civilians and police after rare protests in the Central Asian country, while an exiled opposition politician said at least five people had been killed.
A local government official told an Uzbek news website that thousands of people were hospitalized.
In a statement posted online, Mirziyoyev said protesters carried out “destructive actions” in the northwestern city of Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, throwing stones, starting fires and attacking police.
“Unfortunately, there are casualties between civilians and police,” he said, who did not specify the number of casualties.
Sultanbek Ziyayev, head of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, told news website Daryo.uz that hospitals in Nukus were full of injured patients after protesters clashed with security forces.
“Thousands of injured have been hospitalized and are being treated,” he said, according to the website.
Photographs of Nukus published on Sunday by another news site, Kun.uz, showed roadblocks, burned-out trucks and a heavy military presence, including armored vehicles.
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