Uzbekistan update

Lenta.ru has reported (based on Channel 1 TV coverage) at 1pm MSK that the position of the armed protesters has been stormed (my translation):

The building in Andijan where the rebels had fortified a position was taken by storm by government troops and Uzbek special forces. According to Channel One, as a result of the storm, the majority of the people who organized the riots and siezed the jail last night were destroyed.

At the same time, the press-service of the President of Uzbekistan was not able to confirm this information. "Currently I cannot confirm that report. I need to get in touch with Andijan and speak with my superiors," said a representative of the press-service of Islam Karimov.

According to some reports, the President personally flew to Andijan, where protesters in the center of the city are demanding his resignation.

Early Friday morning, armed men almost completely took over the city of Andijan in the Fergana valley. They shot several guards at the local prison and released roughly three thousand inmates, many of whom had been convicted of participation in Islamic groups.

In addition, there have been reports of an attack on the military garrison, which houses 500 soldiers. As a result of clashes in the city, no less than 9 people have been killed, including soldiers and policemen. Russian media have reported that the attackers were able to seize a large arsenal of firearms.

At the moment, Uzbek authorities have stopped the broadcasting of several news channels, including CNN and BBC. In addition, according to preliminary reports, news bulletins of Russian television channels have also been banned.

According to Uzbek television, at this time police and army units which have come to Andijan have barricaded the rebels in several locations and are attempting to start negotiations with them. Witnesses on the scene have reported that the rebels, who number about 100 persons, have three armored personnel carriers, which they seized from the army.

Lenta.ru had also earlier reported that the rebels (or protesters, if you prefer, although the work "miatezhniki" is what's used by Lenta) had taken 10 policemen hostage and requested the involvement of President Putin in negotiations. Lenta's report cited Fergana.ru, which I was unable to access a couple of hours ago (it seemed to be overloaded or blocked) and which I now see has not been updated in at least a couple of hours.

I wonder what happened to the hostages? I am sure that the news blackout is intended to allow the authorities to construct an "official version of events," especially if there was a storm in which many people perished, or "were destroyed."

Here's the BBC's most recent report on the situation.