Protestors in Kyrgyzstan have blocked the main highway between the southern city of Osh and the capital, Bishkek, in two separate demonstrations.

About 2,000 people took part in one protest in the coal mining town of Tash Kumir calling for all charges against the opposition parliamentary deputy, Azimbek Beknazarov, to be dropped.

They also demanded the cancellation of a deal to transfer disputed territory to China - a treaty Mr Beknazarov had opposed - and for President Askar Akayev to resign.

Some 500 others protested near the city of Jalalabad over the shootings in Aksi region in March which six people died after police broke up a demonstration in support of Mr Beknazarov, who is accused of abuse of power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service