Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Violent Protests Erupts in Kyrgyzstan VOA News 19 May 2010 Gunfire erupted at a demonstration in southern Kyrgyzstan Wednesday, leaving at least one person dead and 17 injured in the Central Asian country already wracked by political turmoil. Media reports say a crowd of at least 1,500 people were marching toward a private university in the southern city of Jalalabad Wednesday when the gunshots were heard. It is unclear if the shots were from security forces or the protesters. Southern Kyrgyzstan has been the scene of unrest since mass protests last month overthrew the former government of Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Last week, Bakiyev supporters stormed government buildings in the provinces of Osh, Jalalabad and Batken. One person was killed and 60 others wounded during those clashes. The continued protests have underscored worries about stability in the mainly Muslim nation which hosts both U.S. and Russian military air bases. Mr. Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan after he was toppled on April 7 during protests that killed 85 people.  The interim government has charged Mr. Bakiyev with mass killings, accusing him of ordering security forces to open fire on anti-government protesters during the uprising. They are asking for his extradition from Belarus. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters. .