President Askar Akayev reportedly fled Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan via helicopter Thursday evening after protesters seized government headquarters and took over government broadcast facilities.

Akayev and his family were reportedly headed towards Kazakhstan, although that was unconfirmed.

Just yesterday, Akayev had told his new security chief not to be afraid to use violence to put down any uprising that may arise. Today, approximately 1,000 protesters stormed the government's headquarters tearing pictures of Akayev and smashing windows by throwing stones. Riot police were taken out of position by the protesters.

Opposition leaders already had controlled the outskirts of the country and today they have taken control of the capital.

Opposition leader and former prime minister Kurmanbek Bakiev announced, 'We will establish order. We will not allow looting. We will hold our own elections to start our rule.'

Another opposition leader, Felix Kulov, was freed from prison by the protesters.

Akayev had ruled the country for the past 14 years. The economy of Kyrgyzstan was in shambles and unemployment was rampant. Kyrgyzstan became the third former Soviet republic to have its longtime leader overthrown after disputed elections. Ukraine and Georgia also had a similar occurrence.