Kyrgyzstan topples disliked 'Statue of Liberty'

Kyrgyzstan on Friday dismantled a "Statue of Liberty" in the centre of the capital Bishkek, mocked for its apparent resemblance to a widely disliked former First Lady. Workers in the early hours took down the towering statue, which depicted a female angel sitting on top of a globe and holding aloft the roof of a traditional yurt.
Critics complained the statue bore an unfortunate resemblance to the widely disliked wife of ousted president Askar Akayev, who was forced out of power in 2005 in the Tulip Revolution. "This poorly chosen symbol is a reason for continuing instability in society," complained Toktaim Umetaliyeva, human rights activist and leader of political party Zhashasyn Kyrgyzstan, or Live Kyrgyzstan.