Kazakhstan has been embroiled in violent protests in the past few days. Recently, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a “shoot without warning” order to law enforcement. Russian troops have also been deployed to assist the government in a peace-seeking mission.
The media reported 164 deaths and over 5000 additional arrests after the order. The unrest was initially attributed to the increase of LPG prices after the government removed the price cap. A few days of violent protest have led to the deaths of both protesters and police members. The government also claimed that foreign-backed terrorist was behind the continuous protests. A claim which many protesters refute saying – “we are not terrorists”.
The CSTO forces which include troops from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan were deployed across the country. CSTO commander-general Andrey Serdyukov stated that troops are “performing tasks to protect important military, state, and socially significant facilities in the city of Almaty and adjacent area”. He also stated that the deployed men will stay until the situation is “fully stabilized”.
The country’s central bank has temporarily suspended exchange. The banking system will be restored in stages depending on the priority of the social significance of the services.
The European Union condemned acts of violence in the country. Pope Francis in his weekly Angelus prayer has prayed for the victims of the violent protests.