Protests in Kazakhstan, negotiations with the USA. The highlights of the weekend

The main topic of the weekend was the events in Kazakhstan: protests over gas prices ended with the introduction of the CSTO forces. Chronology of events in the country, as well as other news - "deltacrone" and negotiations with the United States - in the RBC review

New Year's protests and the state of emergency in Kazakhstan

On January 2, protests began in Kazakhstan due to a twofold increase in gas prices. The first rallies were held in the Mangistau region, in the west of the country, in the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau, the rallies were accompanied by clashes with the police. By January 4, protests had already begun in other cities, including Alma-Ata, located in the south of the country. In Kazakhstan, a state of emergency was introduced, first in certain regions, then throughout the country.

Alma-Ata became a city where protests were accompanied by violence and clashes with the security forces. The “hot” phase of the protest began on January 5, when street protesters seized and set fire to the city administration building. Attacks were made on the building of the Prosecutor General's Office, the police department and the National Security Committee. By evening, the authorities lost control over the city airport, pogroms began in the city, cases of looting and pogroms in bank branches. On the same day, demonstrators also attempted to storm the administration building of Aktobe, a major industrial center in western Kazakhstan. OMON used stun grenades against them. There were several explosions near the city administration building. Because of the protests, the country's government under the leadership of Askar Mamin resigned. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also announced, that he accepts the post of chairman of the country's Security Council, which was held by ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Nazarbayev himself has not appeared on TV channels since the beginning of the unrest, his press secretary later announced that Nazarbayev himself decided to transfer this post to Tokayev.

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On the evening of January 5, Tokayev turned for support to his partners in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which, in addition to Kazakhstan, includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. At the same time, he announced that organized terrorist forces had attacked Kazakhstan, which had received special training abroad. The CSTO agreed to Tokayev's request, Russian, Kyrgyz, Belarusian, Armenian military men went to the country, Tajikistan also approved the dispatch of peacekeepers. The CSTO forces were led by the commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov. Already on January 7, Tokayev announced the restoration of order throughout Kazakhstan. Russian peacekeepers have secured key infrastructure facilities in the country. Due to protests in Kazakhstan, the former head of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan and the ex-premier of the country, Karim Massimov, was detained and sent to a temporary detention center on a case of treason, and criminal cases were initiated under the article on mass riots. As of January 10, 7,939 people were detained across the country due to protests. Tokayev also announced personnel changes. On the morning of January 10, the mayor of the city, Bakytzhan Sagintayev, announced the normalization of the situation in Alma-Ata. In addition, the Internet has appeared in Alma-Ata, Pavlodar, Kyzylorda, Taldykorgan and Atyrau. This day was also declared a day of mourning in the republic for the victims of the riots. The exact number of people who died during the protests is not yet known. The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan reported the death of 164 people during the protests, but later called the publication a "technical error". Three children were killed: aged 4, 11 and 15, and the authorities also reported the death of 16 security officials. Internet appeared in Alma-Ata, Pavlodar, Kyzylorda, Taldykorgan and Atyrau. This day was also declared a day of mourning in the republic for the victims of the riots. The exact number of people who died during the protests is not yet known. The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan reported the death of 164 people during the protests, but later called the publication a "technical error". Three children were killed: aged 4, 11 and 15, and the authorities also reported the death of 16 security officials. Internet appeared in Alma-Ata, Pavlodar, Kyzylorda, Taldykorgan and Atyrau. This day was also declared a day of mourning in the republic for the victims of the riots. The exact number of people who died during the protests is not yet known. The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan reported the death of 164 people during the protests, but later called the publication a "technical error". Three children were killed: aged 4, 11 and 15, and the authorities also reported the death of 16 security officials.