Armed threat to Tajik authorities

The government of Tajikistan is facing a new challenge from a group of up to one-thousand supporters of an illegal opposition group, which has established an armed presence in the capital, Dushanbe.

The group is demanding the release of three of its comrades, who were detained on Wednesday and are being held at a police station.

It has warned of consequences if they are not released by noon on Saturday.

Correspondents say government officials believe the group may attack the police post if its demands are not met.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service