By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Five people have been killed and over 300 injured during mass protests in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator over allegations of election fraud, the Mongolia Web news portal reported Wednesday.
Up to 6,000 people took to the streets Tuesday after the results of Sunday’s elections were announced with the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) claiming to have won at least 44 seats in the country’s 76-seat parliament, the Great Hural.
The opposition Democratic Party has won 21 seats.
Following Tuesday’s riots, President Nambaryn Enkhbayar announced a four-day state of emergency after protesters set fire to cars, attacked government buildings, shops and tried to steal weapons from a police station.
A total of 1,800 police were involved in trying to maintain order but were forced to use rubber bullets and water cannons after the crowd set fire to the headquarters of the ruling party’s building.
Over 700 people have been arrested and 108 police were injured in the clashes.
Riots were also reported in the easternmost province of Dornod and the northern province of Bulgan.
Moscow expressed concern over the riots in Mongolia and called on the country’s political forces to show restraint and responsibility.
“We are convinced that the existing disagreement could and should be solved within the framework of the country’s constitution,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.