Anger against regime
Uprising in Kazakhstan: the economic metropolis of Almaty becomes the epicenter, demonstrators occupy the airport
Kazakhstan: Protesters storm Almaty city council
© AFP
In Kazakhstan, the unprecedented mass protests against the dictatorial regime of Nursultan Nazarbayev continue. The metropolis of Almaty becomes the center of the protests.
The protests against the authoritarian regime in Kazakhstan continue. Protesters stormed government buildings in several cities on Wednesday. Thousands of people took to the streets across the country. In the Economic metropolis In Almaty, in the south-east of the country, the protests were particularly violent. The city administration was occupied and the residence of the hated former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who, in fact, still holds power in his hands, was burned down.
In the evening the demonstrators occupied the airport of the former capital. As the press service announced, the airport had previously been evacuated. According to the independent news website “Mediazona”, the demonstrators have started to erect barricades in the center of Almaty.
The incumbent President of the country Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev said in a speech earlier: “The situation threatens the security of all citizens of Almaty. It cannot be tolerated.” The security forces would act “as hard as possible”. He also announced reforms and declared that he would replace the long-term secret ruler Nazarbayev as head of the Security Council.
A gesture that should calm the demonstrators. But Tokayev has loyally served the dictator Nazarbayev for decades. “Tokayev only plays the country’s president,” said Muchtar Ablyazov, chairman of the opposition movement “Democratic Election of Kazakhstan”, in an interview with the independent Russian broadcaster Dozhd. “If Nazarbayev now hands over the post of security chief to him, it means absolutely nothing. He will continue to rule. All the people who are currently in government are his people. Nazarbayev holds power firmly in his hands.” The announced measures are pure decoration, according to Ablyazov.
Nazarbayev has ruled Kazakhstan for more than 30 years
The protesters do not allow themselves to be reassured by the announcers. Their anger is directed against Nazarbayev, who has ruled Kazakhstan for over 30 years. On video recordings from the City of Taldyqorghan can be seen how the protesters tear a statue of the dictator from its pedestal.
Meanwhile, the first fatality among the demonstrators has been reported in the city of Atyrau in the west of the country. Another was injured in the head, reported the Kazakh publication “Orda” via Telegram.