Gunmen 'release' Uzbek prisoners

BBC News ^ | May 12, 2005 | Monica Whitlock

[seacapn]

Gunfire has broken out in Uzbekistan in the eastern city of Andijan.

Local residents say a group of armed men have stormed the prison and released possibly thousands of inmates.

Residents living close to Andijan prison say the attack began at midnight (2100 GMT) when 15 cars pulled up at the prison.

Men armed with automatic rifles and sawn-off shotguns got out and opened fire on the guards, apparently killing some of them.

They then pulled open the gates and a stream of prisoners poured out.

One local eyewitness said it took 20 minutes for the crowd to pass.

[seacapn]

The prison held 4,000 inmates, many of them Islamic militants. I wonder how long it will take some of these guys to show up with suicide vests in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simply a shameful performance by the Uzbek security forces here.