Clashes in Kazakhstan. What was it? And what events led to this?

Album Cover — Clashes in Kazakhstan. What was it? And what events led to this?

On January 2, in the city of Zhanaozen in the Mangistau region, protests began , caused by a double increase in liquefied gas, which are refueling most of the region’s cars. Protesters Johnoozen were supported in other regions of the country. Political demands and appeals to the former president of the country Nursultan Nazarbayev also began to sound on stocks. The protesters became a popular slogan “shaw, ket!” (“Old man, go away!”)-that is, the requirement for the first president to move away from the Office of Kazakhstan, which he de facto carried out.

In some cities, the initially peaceful protests grew into clashes with security forces and storming government buildings, the airport was captured in Almaty for several hours, the building of the akimat and the president’s residence were defeated. In the city of Taldykorgan, a monument to Nazarbayevwas demolished .

Against the backdrop of mass unrest, the President of Kazakhstan Kasim-Zhomart Tokaev announced a state of emergency, resigned the government, froze gas prices and took Nazarbayev’s place as the head of the Council of Security of the country. At the request of Tokaev, the troops of the organization on collective security, which includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, arrived in the country.

In the republic, the Internet was disconnected for several days in a row, banks, non -cash payments and currency exchange points did not work. In addition, it was reported about interruptions in telephone connection. In Almaty, where there were the most massive protests, the anti -terrorist operation regime is currently operating, checkpoints are exhibited around the city and the “cleaning” of streets continues .

By January 7, the authorities of Kazakhstan reported on the restoration of order in the country. On January 10, it is known about 7939 detainees, the death of 17 law enforcement officers and two military officers officially confirmed . Also announced the "liquidation of 26 criminals." On January 9, information about 164 dead during protest shares appeared in the telegram channel of the Ministry of Information and Public Development of Kazakhstan, but then the publication of these data was called a “technical error”.

At the CSTO online saamMite, Tokaev said that the crisis was provoked by “destructive forces”, who tried to take advantage of discontent in the country to seize power. According to him, terrorists participated in the riots, including militants from other countries.

In this issue of “what happened” we are talking with Nariman Shelekpayev-an assistant professor of the European University in St. Petersburg, a specialist in the political and cultural history of the Soviet and post-Soviet Central Asia.

-What happened in Kazakhstan after all?

- Is this the result of thirty -year independence of Kazakhstan? What was it for the period?

- And is it not a sign that decades of the construction of an independent state has not led to success in a difficult situation?

Timekoda

05:43 System of Zhuzov
11:40 Formation of statehood of Kazakhstan
16:38 The main ideas of Nazarbayev’s policy
21:01 How the system worked under the new president
27:21 Transit failed?
35:49 Why Tokaev turned to the CST
39:12 How the West relates to the Kazakh regime

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