DUSHANBE, April 18, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A Kyrgyz national has reportedly been detained in the Tajik northern Sughd province for illegal trading in mercury.

Tajik law enforcement authorities say a Kyrgyz national, Mahmadrasoul Burkanov, 35, was detained on the territory of Sughd’s Isfara district on Aril 17 and 3.24 kilograms of mercury were found hidden under driver seat of his Mercedes.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Burkanov and an investigation is under way.

In the meantime, Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz Service reported on April 18 that about 100 people from a southern Kyrgyz village have gathered on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border to demand the immediate release of Burkanov.  RFE/RL reports from the village of Kara-Bak that Kyrgyz and Tajik officials are holding talks regarding Burkanov.  The Kyrgyz gathered at the border say they will not leave the area until the issue is resolved.

It is not clear what side of the border Burkanov was on when he was detained, RFE/RL said.  Local officials in Kyrgyzstan''s Batken region, where Kara-Bak is located, say that if Burkanov was detained on Kyrgyz territory then he has to face charges and possible trial in Kyrgyzstan.

The border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was not delimited after the collapse of the Soviet Union and some parts are still disputed, RFE/RL noted.