Kyrgyzstan's interim government has said that it has charged Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the ousted president, with "mass killing" and wants Belarus to extradite him for trial.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, a week after Bakiyev fled the country following a bloody uprising of the proletariat that accused him of corruption and complained of increasing ulitity prices.

"He has been charged according to two articles - murder of more than two individuals and abuse of power," Azimbek Beknazarov, the interim government's deputy leader, said in Bishkek, the capital.

"We have a basis for him to be extradited," he said, adding that the formal request would be made "within days".

Beknazarov said that regional convention ensured that Belarus is "obliged to hand him over".

'Russian influence'

Bakiyev is accused of ordering the shooting of protesters as an anti-government protest on April 7-8 turned into clashes in which 85 people died. Some protesters were also armed.

Bakiyev has said that Russia was behind the uprising. Moscow has not allowed him to enter the country.

The interim government last week set parliamentary elections for October 10, with the potential for presidential polls on the same date.

The polls will come after a referendum on constitutional change on June 27 aimed at reducing the powers of the president by creating a parliamentary republic with strong checks and balances.

"In the new draft, the state and political system will be set up to prevent concentration of power in one hand.

"The president will lose his immunity and his family will not be subsidised by the state. The head of state will live on his own salary."

The proposed constitution will also limit to 50 the number of seats one party is allowed to hold in the 90-seat parliament.

The interim government has accused Bakiyev and his allies of election fraud last year and widespread corruption. His Ak-Zol party dominated the last parliament.