Violent unrest in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a huge country, the size of Western Europe, situated in Central Asia and bordering Russia and China. Made up mostly of mountains and arid steppe land, it has a population of only 19 million people. It gained independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. THE TRIGGER New Year increase in […]

Kazakhstan is a huge country, the size of Western Europe, situated in Central Asia and bordering Russia and China.

Made up mostly of mountains and arid steppe land, it has a population of only 19 million people.

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It gained independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

THE TRIGGER

New Year increase in prices for liquid petroleum gas (LPG), widely used to fuel cars

PROTESTS ERUPT

Protesters take to the streets including in biggest city Almaty, reportedly storming several government buildings

STATE OF EMERGENCY

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposes a state of emergency in Almaty and in the restive west. Later extended nationwide

OIL DEPENDENT COUNTRY

Economy: Oil accounts for 21% of its GDP (2020
Population: 19 million

INTERNATIONAL APPEALS

US and UN appeal to Kazakh authorities to show “restraint”

Tokayev appeals for help from Moscow-led alliance. Russia sends paratroopers

TOLLS, as of Jan 7
Police say they killed “dozens” of protesters trying to storm buildings
18 security officers also killed

More than 1,000 people wounded (Health Ministry)

Around 2,300 detained by police

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

Jan 6: Government set fuel price limits on LPG for six months to “stabilise the socio-economic situation” Russia-led alliance troops arrive in Kazakhstan

What has happened in Kazakhstan?

Demonstrations started on January 2 in the town of Zhanaozen, an oil hub and the site of deadly clashes between protesters and police just over 10 years ago. Protests then spread across the rest of the country.

The security forces say they killed rioters in Almaty while trying to restore order. Police say protesters tried to take control of police stations in the city.

Nationwide, about 1,000 people have reportedly been injured in the unrest, with 400 being treated in hospital and dozens in intensive care.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said “20,000 bandits” had attacked Almaty and that he had told security forces to “fire without warning”.

What happens next?

Kazakhstan’s government is making concessions.

It has put off removing its price cap on LPG – ordering the prices of all vehicle fuel to be regulated for six months.

Ministers have also resigned. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the government had failed to carry out “one of its main tasks – keeping inflation in check”. The president has appointed Alikhan Smailov as acting Prime Minister.

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