Mongolia to lift state of emergency

Mongolia lifts its four-day state of emergency late today following the post-election riots that prompted the imposition of emergency…

Mongolia lifts its four-day state of emergency late today following the post-election riots that prompted the imposition of emergency rule.

Some 700 people were taken into custody following violence on Tuesday night over perceived election fraud, when protesters torched the headquarters of the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party.

At least three of the five killed in the riot were determined to have died from gunshot wounds, and newspapers have reported that several more in hospital had gunshot injuries.

The status of those detained is one of several questions being raised following the president's declaration of a state of emergency, the first since the country shook off Soviet influence and embraced democratic reform in 1990.

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The opposition Democratic Party alleges fraud in last Sunday's election, although international observers say it was largely fair.

Security forces were mandated to use rubber bullets and tear gas to bring the thousands of protesters under control - but were not authorised to use lethal force.

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