[Epoch Times, January 10, 2022](Epoch Times reporter Xu Jian comprehensive report) Unprecedented riots broke out in the country of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev) allows the military and police to open to protesters without warning gun. Over the past week, nearly 6,000 people have been arrested in the country and at least 164 have been killed in clashes.
The Kazakh people’s campaign against oil prices and corruption has swept across the country, and the actual death toll is thought to be higher. On Sunday, state TV channel Khabar 24, citing figures from Kazakhstan’s health ministry, said 164 people had died – a sharp increase from the 44 announced by authorities on Friday.
In the city of Almaty alone, 103 people were killed, including two children, and more than 2,200 people were injured nationwide, according to the country’s health ministry.
At least 5,135 people have been detained so far on suspicion of participating in protests in Kazakhstan, state media said on Sunday, citing the country’s interior ministry. According to state media, the police have opened about 125 criminal cases related to the violence, involving crimes such as violence, murder and robbery.
The protests that erupted in Kazakhstan led to the resignation of the cabinet, a state of emergency in the country and the entry of Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) troops into the country to “maintain stability”.
Ex-prime minister arrested for treason, authorities say
On Sunday, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the situation in all parts of the country had stabilized, and that the market in Almaty remained calm that day. Soldiers were stationed at various checkpoints in the city to strictly check public documents and fully control all entrances and exits. Local media claimed that the domestic “anti-terrorist operation” had entered a “new stage”.
At the same time, President Tokayev ordered the government to set up a special committee to oversee reconstruction work and emergency response measures after the riots.
In addition, the National Security Council of Kazakhstan announced that Karim Massimow, the former prime minister and former chairman of the council, has been arrested on suspicion of treason. Incumbent President Tokayev sacked Massimov on Thursday after accusing the security agencies of ignoring “terrorists” manipulated by outside forces.
Western countries call for an end to violence
The EU “strongly condemns” the widespread violence in Kazakhstan and that outside military powers such as Russia “should respect the country,” Jose Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security, said in a statement Saturday. sovereignty and independence”.
“We deeply regret the loss of life and strongly condemn the widespread violence,” he added. “External military intervention should respect Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and independence, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO and its member states are very concerned and regretful about these deaths, and the top priority is to end the violence and respect human rights, including guaranteeing the right to peaceful demonstration. The German government has stopped exporting military equipment to Kazakhstan.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken warned that once Kazakh gets Russia involved, it will be difficult to get rid of Russia’s influence in the future.
Responsible editor: Gao Jing#
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