Kazakh state television: 164 people killed in riot

Status: 09.01.2022 12:58 p.m.

164 people were apparently killed in the heavy protests in Central Asian Kazakhstan. The state television reported, citing the Ministry of Health. More than 2,200 people were injured.

According to the state media, 164 people have been killed in the past few days in the unprecedented riots in the authoritarian-led Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the authorities, there are also two children among them. 103 people were killed in Almaty alone. How many of the fatalities were civilians was initially unclear. The authorities had previously spoken of more than 40 dead, including at least 16 police officers and soldiers.

The unrest in the ex-Soviet republic, which borders China and Russia, has been going on for a week. According to official information, more than 2,200 people have been injured so far. Especially in Almaty in the southeast of the ex-Soviet republic, around 1,100 people had requested medical help, the state television reported, citing the authorities. Independent information continues to be scarce.

The President’s order to shoot

President Kassym-Shomart Tokayev ordered the police and army on Friday to shoot “without warning” at demonstrators whom he described as “terrorists” and “bandits”.

Displeasure over the rise in fuel prices at petrol stations in the oil- and gas-rich country had turned into protests against the government. In addition to peaceful demonstrations in many places, there were also violent riots.

According to the authorities, the situation is under control

The authoritarian authorities say the situation is now under control. As the presidential office reported after another crisis meeting, the operations against demonstrators continue. “Measures are being taken to track down and arrest terrorists.” Almost 6,000 people have now been arrested, including many foreigners, it said. Tokayev claimed protesters also received support from abroad.

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