Uzbekistan has again been a site of turmoil this week with residents in the town of Korasuv protesting the arrest of their town mayor Bakhtiyor Rakhimov, accused of supporting anti-government forces. At least 500 people were killed in violent clashes last week when authorities opened fire on civilians demonstrating against Uzbekistan’s regime.

Since Friday May 20 protestors have gathered calling for the freedom of Rakhimov, hailing the former farmer, a respected people’s leader who had helped create jobs in his short time as head of the town. “He did everything for the people, he’s not against the government,” said a resident Aziza Ulukhodjjayeva, reported CNN.

The government troops swept into Korasuv before dawn on Thursday (May 19), quickly arresting Rakhimov, his 14-year-old son and close associates.

Rakhimov himself has said his goal was to restore the economic prosperity of his people stating his intention was to “turn this land into gardens”. “If I turn this land into a good place, if everybody here will have plenty of food on the table, it will spread further,” he said to Associated Press.

In retaliation, the residents of Korasuv, propelled by last week’s clashed with government troops in the city of Andijan, seized control of the 20,000-strong town. Residents burned government buildings, drove away authorities and rebuilt a bridge leading to a prosperous Kyrgyz bazaar on the other side of the border. The Uzbek government had dismantled the bridge to the town’s sister town of Kara-suu two years ago, impoverishing Korasuv residents.

Scores of police in riot gear were deployed near the bridge Saturday, but it remained open to the flow of traders heading to the bazaar. Uzbek authorities have so far not resorted to violence apparently concerned over how the crackdown will be perceived overseas.

The United Nations and NATO are among the international organizations this week which have called for an independent international inquiry into the events around the Andijan riots. However, Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov has rejected such designs.

Uzbekistan’s strategic partner the United States has also distanced itself from the regime this week with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, noting that $US11 million in assistance to Uzbekistan has been withheld since last year because the Uzbek government failed to meet the human rights certification requirements.