“All civil movements and citizens consider that ‘state men,’ executed this offense, which resulted in the detainment of G. Baasan, a citizens leader and representative of many elder people, in order to stop the All Peoples Congress in two weeks,” G. Uyanga, editor of Political newspaper and colleague of Baasan, told MonInfo Thursday.

“We will stop our protests when Baasan is released.”

Baasan was detained by police on Wednesday night without any public charges at the time and has limited contact with other civil movement leaders, Uyanga said.

However police officials stated that an investigation was underway and Baasan could be held until the weekend.

“Baasan is being investigated in the Chingeltei District’s Police department because she attacked a state security officer and she didn’t realize the police consider that she committed a crime,” Colonel Lieutenant Ganbaatar, who refused to give his surname, told civil movement leaders and members of the media.

“Baasan can be detained for up to 72 hours. The prosecutor will examine this case and the court will decide.”

Civil movement leaders though have demanded her immediate release and constructed a ger in the city’s busiest intersection in front of the post office, shutting down city center roads for the rest of the evening.

“Our demand is to see and meet with Baasan right here! If the police release her we will take the responsibility for her within the framework of the law,” National Soyombo Movement leader S. Ganbaatar said in a speech.

“We are worrying for her safety because many Mongolian people have been seriously injured during their detainments. The police’s duty has changed completely. Now their duty is protecting the bribers, swindlers and thieves. In fact the police should work for the people.”

While protestors attempted to break down the doors to the government house, parliament voted against the ousting of the current government, a decision which civil movement leaders criticized during their protests. (with additional reporting by Luke Distelhorst)

All images copyright Luke Distelhorst