The Russian president said on Wednesday...

"When President Bakiyev came to power [after the so-called tulip revolution in 2005], he harshly criticized the toppled president, Akayev, for nepotism and giving his relatives top economic posts. I get the impression that Bakiyev has fallen into the same trap," Putin said.

Kyrgyzstan, where Russia and the United States both have military bases, has been unstable since Bakiyev took office but major political unrest began last month when opposition forces accused the government of tightening its grip on power while failing to bring stability and economic growth.

MOSCOW, April 7 (RIA Novosti)