Kazakhstan President vows 'tough' response to unrest
2 Min Read
After imposing a curfew, Kazakhstan's President promises a ‘strong’ response to quell protests.
-
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed his country's unrest on Wednesday, promising a "strong" response to large protests over a New Year's energy price hike.
Tokayev has also announced that he will chair the country's Security Council, starting today.
"As president, I am obliged to protect the safety and peace of our citizens, to worry about the integrity of Kazakhstan,” he added.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan's President said in Russian on Kazakh television that he intends "to act as tough as possible."
What is happening?
Clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators resumed in the city center of Almaty in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, according to Al Mayadeen's Bureau Chief in Moscow.
He added that confrontations have spread to other regions in western Kazakhstan, noting that Moscow has expressed concern regarding the events in Kazakhstan and is closely monitoring the developments.
Some 190 have been reported injured in the clashes.
Declaring a state of emergency
On Tuesday, Tokayev signed into law a decree declaring a state of emergency in the west of the country and Almaty, the country's largest city, in light of demonstrations over surging liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades in a bid to break up the thousands-strong protest in Almaty on Tuesday night. The police later opened fire after the protesters, estimated to be 5,000, refused to disperse.
In an effort to thwart protests following a hike in oil prices, the Kazakhstani President dismissed the country's cabinet on Wednesday.
