The riots in Kazakhstan continued on the third day.
It was reported, Thursday morning, that soldiers entered the main square of the city. According to Reuters, several hundred protesters gathered at the site.
Eyewitnesses say that gunshots were heard as the soldiers approached the crowd.
Demonstrators are protesting, among other things, an increase in fuel prices.
Many of them must be killed
Local media reported that several protesters were killed after being shot when they tried to storm a building in Almaty, the country’s largest city.
– Last night, extremists tried to attack the administration buildings. Police spokesman Sultana Azerbek told Interfax news agency that dozens of protesters had been eliminated
Pictures were posted on social media of police shooting at protesters.
Local media reported that 1,000 people were injured.
Armored vehicles and soldiers were deployed against the demonstrators.
Photo: Maria Gordeeva/Reuters
I asked for help
President Karim-Jomart Tokayev said in a speech on Wednesday night that he had asked the countries of the security alliance led by Russia, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to help Kazakhstan fight what he calls the “terrorist threat”.
Russia is the completely dominant state in the CSTO, which in addition to Kazakhstan also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Riot police stormed Friday’s rally and drove hundreds of protesters out in trucks. Pictures from the Labor Party and Reuters.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Basginyan wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday that he would send peacekeepers to Kazakhstan.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier on Wednesday that Kazakhstan was able to solve its problems on its own and that no other country should interfere.
But now, Reuters news agency reports that Russian paratroopers have already been sent to Kazakhstan as peacekeepers.
They will primarily guard government buildings and military installations.
Demonstrations continue in Kazakhstan. Among other things, they are protesting increased fuel costs.
Photo: Abdulaziz Madyarov/AFP
Fuel prices raise
Riots began on Tuesday in several cities in Kazakhstan.
The reason is that the price of gas almost doubled with the beginning of the new year.
Antena: The doubling of fuel prices has sparked unrest in Kazakhstan. But the protests also revolve around opposition to an authoritarian political government.
Photo: Yan Blagov/AP
Previously, the authorities kept a fixed low price on gas. This led many to rebuild their cars using gas as fuel.
With the price of gas rising sharply, unrest erupted.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev promised that price-setting would return, but this did not stop the protests.
The overthrow of the government also did not help.
Tokayev said Wednesday afternoon that he will take over the presidency of the country’s Security Council, and that he will implement tough measures against protesters.
no opposition
President Tokayev was elected in 2019, in an election that drew international criticism.
He was chosen by his predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev who ruled Kazakhstan for nearly 30 years.
Targets for protests: Nursultan Nazarbayev (left) ruled Kazakhstan for nearly 30 years before Karim-Jomart Tokayev came to power in 2019.
Photo: Alexei Filippov / AP
Regarding the elections two years ago, there were some minor protests.
But it turns out that the authoritarian rule in the country will continue.
Moreover, Nazarbayev still holds very important positions and has a great influence on how the country is governed.
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