Kazakhstan was rocked this week by riots unprecedented since its independence in 1989, which left dozens of people dead.
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Authorities are trying to contain the riots in Kazakhstan. More than 5,000 people have been arrested in the largest country in Central Asia in connection, local media reported on Sunday (January 9th), citing authorities. According to the Interior Ministry, the material damage caused by the violence was initially estimated at around 175 million euros. More than 100 businesses and banks were looted and more than 400 vehicles destroyed, according to the same source.
Kazakhstan, a country of about 19 million people rich in hydrocarbons, was rocked this week by riots unprecedented since its independence in 1989, which killed dozens of people. A total of 5,135 people have been arrested in the framework of 125 separate investigations, said the Interior Ministry, quoted by the media.
The protest began in the provinces last Sunday after the increase in gas prices, before reaching large cities, including the economic capital Almaty, where riots broke out, the police firing live ammunition at the demonstrators.
“Today, the situation is stabilized in all regions of the country”, Interior Minister Erlan Turgumbayev said, adding however that “The anti-terrorist operation continues to restore order in the country.”