Free Republic

Dramatic events are unfolding in Uzbekistan, where crowds of people have gathered outside government buildings in the eastern town of Andijan. Troops are said to be filling a nearby street and stadium, and some shots have been fired injuring protesters. Reports say three snipers firing on the crowd were pulled down from a roof by the angry crowd. During the night, gunmen stormed the city jail releasing possibly thousands of prisoners. The crowds are thought to be protesting against the trial of 23 Islamic businessmen on extremism charges. "The people have risen," AP news agency quoted Valijon Atakhonjonov, the...