- The situation in Kazakhstan remains unclear. The German Press Agency reported several shootings and explosions, citing local media.
- The USA has since announced that all of the consulate’s employees who are not absolutely necessary in the economic metropolis of Almaty have permission to leave the country.
- After serious unrest, the President of the authoritarian Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, issued an order to shoot militant demonstrators.
The information from shootings and explosions cannot currently be verified independently. The USA has also announced that all of the consulate’s employees who are not absolutely necessary in the economic metropolis of Almaty have permission to leave the country. The US consular service in Kazakhstan could also be restricted due to the events, it said.
Tokayev gave the order to shoot
Calls for a peaceful solution to the crisis came from abroad. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s answer: “What a stupid thing! What kind of negotiations can there be with criminals and murderers? ” The head of state declared that a total of 20,000 “bandits” had attacked the metropolis of Almaty in the south-east of the Central Asian country, where the unrest had been particularly violent in the past few days.
According to the President, the situation should be largely under the control of the security forces. It is currently difficult to independently verify information. Time and again, the Internet is turned off in Kazakhstan, the borders have been closed to foreigners.
Legend:
Police lead a demonstrator in Almaty.
Keystone
On Friday morning, state television reported that 26 demonstrators had already been killed. In addition, there have been more than 3,700 arrests across the country. It was feared that there could now be many more civilian deaths. According to official information, at least 18 security guards have also died so far.
Russian soldiers control the airport
In Almaty, Russian soldiers have brought the airport “under full control”, according to Moscow. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said they had started immediately after their arrival to “carry out the tasks assigned to them.” One proceeded together with Kazakh security forces at the airport. The airport of the metropolis was temporarily occupied by demonstrators.
In the face of massive protests, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev asked a Russian-dominated military alliance for support. As recently as Thursday, members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization had dispatched soldiers, including Russian paratroopers. The organization spoke of a total of around 2,500 soldiers.
In addition to Russia and Kazakhstan, the alliance also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The deployment of the military alliance in Kazakhstan was seen by observers as a sign of Tokayev’s weakness. At the same time, there was concern in the West that Russia would gain more influence in the country.
Legend:
Kyrgyz soldiers on their way to Kazakhstan.
Keystone
Europe is alarmed
Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an end to the violence. “I call for an end to the violence and for restraint,” said von der Leyen. Citizens’ rights and safety are extremely important and must be guaranteed. She is following the situation with great concern. The European Union is ready to help where it can. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also called for an end to the violence. “Of course, this also applies to the fact that there should be no violence against citizens,” said the SPD politician.
Fuel prices as the origin
The trigger for the unrest in the authoritarian ruled ex-Soviet republic was resentment at the rise in fuel prices at petrol stations. But they quickly turned into sometimes violent protests against the government. In response to the protests, the current President Tokayev sacked the entire government and imposed a nationwide state of emergency.