39 soldiers abandon base in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK. Feb 4 (Interfax) - Conscript soldiers who guarded a state residence in the capital city of Bishkek ran away en masse on Sunday, Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry told Interfax.
"Thirty-nine soldiers, aged 18-19, ran away from the Interior Ministry's Base No.40 on Sunday," the ministry's press service said.
The incident occurred at 10 p.m. shortly after the evening roll call. Instead of assuming their duties all of the 39 soldiers abandoned the base and ran away, it said.
"None of them was a newly recruited soldier. Their service is due to finish in spring. Therefore, the cause of their escape is unclear," the press service said.
"We have learned that they are hiding in an apartment in Bishkek and that they talked with their relatives over mobile phones. They may reportedly return to the base tomorrow," a law enforcement service said.
