Mass protests, initially caused by rising prices of liquefied gas, continue for a third day in a row in Kazakhstan. The demands have expanded and now, in addition to the resignation of the government, they want an end to corruption and the departure of Nursultan Nazarbayev from politics.
It is indicated that the protests have covered both major cities and small villages. The most mass actions were held in Atyrau (here over 5 thousand people came out), Aktobe, Uralsk.
It is noted that in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Uralsk and Taldykorgan, the police detained the protesters, in Almaty - particularly severely.
In the meantime, the government commission promised the protesters in the city of Aktau to reduce the price of gas to 50 tenge per liter. In addition, the authorities guaranteed not to prosecute the protesters.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the west of the country (Aktau, Zhanaozen, Atyrau). After the statements of the government commission on the implementation of the protesters' demand to reduce the price of gas, the demonstrators did not disperse and demanded the arrival of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
It is noted that in different cities of Kazakhstan protesters blocked streets, railroad crossings and tracks. In Kyzylorda and Atyrau, protesters clashed with security forces several times.
In addition, key messengers - Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal - were blocked in the country.
Kyrgyzstan decided to step up border patrols amid mass protests in Kazakhstan.
"The border service of the SCNS of the Kyrgyz Republic monitors the situation in the neighboring republic and in the border area," the Kyrgyz border service said.
In case the situation on the border worsens, Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other government agencies, promises to take appropriate measures.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency due to the protests in Almaty. The state of emergency will be in effect from January 5 to 19.
"In connection with the aggravation of the situation in order to ensure public safety, restore law and order, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev signed decrees on the introduction of the state of emergency in the Mangistau region and the city of Almaty from January 5 from 01 hours 30 minutes to 0000 hours on January 19, 2022," the presidential decree said.
In Almaty, law enforcement officers detained more than a hundred people at the site of the action of the group on the establishment of the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan. The rally was held near the Almaty Arena sports complex.
The protesters were advocating for improvement of social conditions of the population and demanded decrease of gas prices. After some time, law enforcement officers began to detain protesters and put them in vans.
In addition, dozens of members of the "Wake up, Kazakhstan" rally with similar slogans were protesting near the Park of the First President. The security forces also blocked their way and began to detain them. All detainees were taken to police stations in Auezovsky and Bostanditsky districts.
