More than 5,000 people were arrested in Kazakhstan in the riots that shook the country for days, the Interior Ministry announced this morning.
The largest wave of protests in years in this Central Asian country was sparked by the outrage of the people for significant increases in fuel prices at gas stations. However, this later expanded and turned into violent demonstrations against the government.
The Interior Ministry clarified that overall 5,135 people have been arrested. Judicial authorities have launched investigations into various offenses.
More than 100 shopping malls, bank buildings and about 400 vehicles – mostly police – were destroyed., clarified in statements made on the Khabar 24 network by the Minister of Interior, Erlan Turgubayev.
In the midst of a harsh response to the protesters, the authorities are meanwhile trying to restore a sense of normalcy.
The Ministry of Commerce announced that the supply of basic foodstuffs to remote areas was ensured, reported the Russian news agency TASS. The Ministry of Energy, for its part, noted that the supply of fuel and liquefied gas has begun.
In total 16 members of the security forces lost their lives in the riots, while about 1,300 police officers, soldiers and other members of the security forces were injured in the clashes, according to the Interior Ministry.
Yesterday the authorities had announced that more than 40 people were killed, including members of the security forces.
The President of Kazakhstan Kasim-Yomart Tokayev gave order the security forces to shoot the rioters without warning.
The order sparked fears that there could be heavy casualties among civilians, especially in the country’s largest city and financial capital, Almaty, where government buildings were set on fire and mass looted during protests.
Following the protests, Tokayev accepted the resignation of the government and dismissed high-ranking members of the Security Council, declaring a state of emergency and seeking help from a Russian-led military alliance.
Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic bordering Russia and China, is rich in oil and gas and has a population of more than 18 million.
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