Dozens of deaths, thousands of arrests amid Kazakh protests
Kazakhstan's interior ministry said Friday that 26 "armed criminals" had been killed and 18 wounded after days of unrest. It said in a statement that all of Kazakhstan's regions had been "freed and taken under increased protection", with 70 checkpoints set up around the country.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 09:57 | 07 January 2022
- Modified Date: 10:37 | 07 January 2022
A total of 26 people have been killed and more than 3,000 have been arrested in the anti-government protests rocking the Kazakh city of Almaty, state radio Khabar 24 reported Friday.
Another 18 people were injured, the broadcaster said, citing the country's interior ministry.
The focus of the protests in the oil and gas-rich former Soviet republic has been on Almaty, located in the south-east of the country, in recent days.
Almaty is Kazakhstan's economic epicentre and biggest city. Protesters have attacked government buildings, set cars alight and looted businesses.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said "anti-terrorist operations" should continue until the "fighters are completely wiped out."
In Almaty, where the riots were particularly violent, armed demonstrators are said to have holed up in the building of a television station.
Tokayev said the order has largely been restored. He plans to address the Kazakh people in a speech at noon on Friday.
Another 18 people were injured, the broadcaster said, citing the country's interior ministry.
The focus of the protests in the oil and gas-rich former Soviet republic has been on Almaty, located in the south-east of the country, in recent days.
Almaty is Kazakhstan's economic epicentre and biggest city. Protesters have attacked government buildings, set cars alight and looted businesses.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said "anti-terrorist operations" should continue until the "fighters are completely wiped out."
In Almaty, where the riots were particularly violent, armed demonstrators are said to have holed up in the building of a television station.
Tokayev said the order has largely been restored. He plans to address the Kazakh people in a speech at noon on Friday.
OTHER WORLD NEWS
- Trump slams Afghan withdrawal 'incompetence' on 9/11 anniversary
- Terrorists kill residents from 6 villages in northwest Nigeria attack
- Italy reports 233 coronavirus-related deaths
- Biden visits Colorado to tour damage from state's most destructive wildfire
- Spain's 14-day COVID-19 rate rises to 2,722 per 100,000