Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday throughout the country.
Unrest in Kazakhstan erupted on Sunday due to a rise in gas prices in a provincial town before spreading overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday in the economic capital, Almaty, where nearly 5,000 people were dispersed by the police with stun grenades and tear gas.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, denounced the actions of “groups of criminal elements” and promised a “firm” response to the protests, citing “massive attacks” against the security forces who have at least eight dead and more than 300 injured, according to the Interior Ministry. The former Soviet republic also experienced a “nationwide internet blackout” Wednesday, said the web monitoring group NetBlocks, arguing that this could “severely limit the coverage of intensifying anti-government protests. “.
Washington calls on the authorities to “restrain”
US State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the acts of vandalism, but also criticized the government’s shutdown of the internet. “We call on all Kazakhstanis to respect and defend constitutional institutions, human rights, and press freedom, including by restoring internet access,” Price said in a statement. “We urge all stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution to the state of emergency,” he added.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki also criticized “Russia’s crazy allegations” of alleged US responsibility in the riots in Kazakhstan. “This is absolutely false” and it is “part of the Russian disinformation strategy”, she asserted, after calling on the authorities of Kazakhstan to “restrain”.
Russia, for whom Kazakhstan is of crucial importance, called for a “peaceful solution” and “dialogue”. Moscow and its allies of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will send “peacekeeping forces” to Kazakhstan, announced the president of this military alliance, as requested by the government of the former Soviet republic.
The UN, for its part, is monitoring the situation “with concern,” Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday during his daily press briefing. “It is very important for everyone involved in these current events to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and promote dialogue,” added Mr. Dujarric.