BISHKEK, December 9 (RIA Novosti) - The chief editor and director general of a major independent TV channel in Kyrgyzstan said Friday that a possible attempt was being made to seize the building.
"People who called themselves the new owners of the Piramida TV channel, accompanied by law enforcement officers, attempted to seize the building where the channel is based," Elina Chernyavskaya said.
Chernyavskaya said police had surrounded the building.
Kyrgyz police said they were summoned to the site on reports of riots.
"We received a phone call saying that riots could break out near the building," a police source said.
Chernyavskaya said in turn: "There has been no court ruling to transfer property rights to the [Piramida] TV channel."
"The 'new owners' said they planned to reform the channel and turn it into a purely entertainment one," she said. "They also said they would fire the top managers and some journalists."
According to Chernyavskaya, Piramida personnel had asked the country's authorities to clarify the situation.
According to a RIA Novosti correspondent, police are no longer surrounding the building.
Despite the late hour and frosty weather, about 200 people have gathered around the building, including members of parliament, human rights advocates, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.
The TV channel was founded 15 years ago and has been known for its independent position.
