testimonies of demonstrators, at the heart of the revolt

Workers work to clear a burnt building in Almaty (Kazakhstan). The town hall, which was the pride of the city, is now unrecognizable. On January 5 and 6, Almaty was the epicenter of the largest and most violent uprising in 30 years in Kazakhstan. There would have been 225 deaths. The power accuses terrorist groups of being behind the violence, while the opposition denounces the manipulation of groups of criminals to degenerate peaceful demonstrations.

Daouren Dostiarov, a protester who has just been released from detention, is barely standing. His brother recounts his ordeal. “From January 6 to 13, we beat him every day“, he confides. The police continue to hunt down opponents. “[Elle] seeks activists and peaceful protesters. The government does not want to start reforms“, indicates the opponent Djmabolat Mamaï. After the violent turn taken by the latest protests and the brutal repression that followed, Kazakhs do not seem ready to return to the streets.