The events in Central Asian Kazakhstan have been raging for days: initial anger about increased gas prices turned into protests critical of the government, the government was dismissed, and the military intervened. Concern is also growing abroad.
A military alliance led by Russia has sent the first soldiers to the ex-Soviet republic.
(dpa)
After serious riots with dead and injured in Central Asian Kazakhstan, international concerns about a further escalation are growing. “A quick calming of the situation is essential in order to avert further bloodshed, a destabilization of the country and thus also damage to the economic and investment location Kazakhstan,” said the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. Kazakhstan is “by far the most important German trading partner in Central Asia”.
The Foreign Office reported that they were exchanging ideas with closest local partners about developments in Kazakhstan. The task now is to find a peaceful solution “within the framework of a comprehensive dialogue with all those involved”. The violence, but also the massive restrictions on access to the Internet and social networks, are viewed with concern. Kazakhstan’s obligations under the OSCE to uphold fundamental freedoms also included maintaining free access to information, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly.
The organization Reporters Without Borders lamented reports of police violence against media representatives in the authoritarian country that borders Russia and China. In addition, the Internet was repeatedly blocked in the ex-Soviet republic with its 18 million inhabitants. “That makes it difficult to provide independent information about what is going on.”
America also spoke out again for a peaceful solution to the crisis that had been triggered days ago by the sharp rise in gas prices. Foreign Minister Antony Blinken phoned his Kazakh colleague Muchtar Tleuberdi on Thursday evening. Blinken had reaffirmed “the United States’ full support for the constitutional institutions of Kazakhstan and the freedom of the media,” the State Department in Washington later said. There were also warnings from the EU that the violence must come to an end.
Russia and other countries are sending their first soldiers
A Russian-led military alliance has meanwhile sent the first soldiers to the ex-Soviet republic at the request of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Russian paratroopers, among other things, have been deployed as part of a “peacekeeping force”. In addition to Russia and Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also belong to the alliance. These states had also sent armed forces, it was said.
Kazakhstan has been experiencing unprecedented protests for days – especially in the metropolis of Almaty in the southeast. According to official information, at least 18 security guards were killed there. It is feared that there could also have been many civilian casualties. According to the authorities, more than 1,000 people have been injured across the country. The General Prosecutor’s Office opened criminal proceedings for the organization and participation in mass riots and initiated pre-trial investigations into the «terrorist acts», as the state broadcaster Khabar 24 reported on Thursday.
Interior Ministry: 26 protesters killed in Kazakhstan
According to the Interior Ministry, 26 demonstrators have been killed. In addition, there were more than 3,000 arrests, the state broadcaster Khabar 24 reported on Friday morning, citing the ministry. The authority therefore spoke of “armed criminals”. Another 18 of them were injured.
State television had already spoken of dozens of “eliminated” people in the metropolis of Almaty on Thursday. That already indicated civilian casualties. The authorities had initially only confirmed the deaths of the 18 security forces.
According to Khabar 24, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the anti-terrorist operations – which he called this – should continue until the “fighters are completely wiped out”. In Almaty in the south-east of the country, where the riots were particularly violent, armed demonstrators are said to have holed up in the building of a television station. Order in the country has largely been restored, said Tokayev. The head of state wanted to address the Kazakh people in a speech at noon.
The unrest in the ex-Soviet republic, which is rich in oil and gas, was triggered by displeasure at the rise in fuel prices at petrol stations. But they quickly turned into sometimes violent protests against the government. Kazakhstan was ruled for decades by the authoritarian ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev, who retained great influence even after his resignation in 2019. In response to the protests, the current President Tokayev sacked the entire government and imposed a nationwide state of emergency.