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Kazakh President Orders Troops To Gun Down Protesters
- By The Financial District
- Jan 8, 2022
- 2 min read
Kazakhstan’s president authorized security forces on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, to shoot to kill those participating in unrest, opening the door for a dramatic escalation in a crackdown on anti-government protests that have turned violent, Dasha Litvinova reported for the Associated Press (AP).
Photo Insert: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan
The Central Asian nation this week experienced its worst street protests since gaining independence from the Soviet Union three decades ago, and dozens have been killed in the unrest. The demonstrations began over a near-doubling of prices for a type of vehicle fuel but quickly spread across the country, reflecting wider discontent with authoritarian rule.
In a televised address to the nation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used harsh rhetoric, referring to those involved in the turmoil as “terrorists,” “bandits” and “militants” — though it is unclear how peaceful protests gathered steam and then descended into violence. No leader has emerged so far.
“I have given the order to law enforcement and the army to shoot to kill without warning,” Tokayev said. “Those who don’t surrender will be eliminated.” He also blasted calls by some countries for talks with the protesters as nonsense.
“What negotiations can be held with criminals, murderers?” Tokayev asked. Tokayev repeated his allegations that “foreign actors” along with “independent media” helped incite the turmoil. He offered no evidence for those claims, but such rhetoric has often been used by former Soviet nations, most prominently Russia and Belarus, which sought to suppress mass anti-government demonstrations in recent years.
On Friday, Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry reported that security forces have killed 26 protesters during the unrest, which escalated sharply on Wednesday. Another 26 were wounded and more than 3,800 people have been detained. A total of 18 law enforcement officers were reported killed, and over 700 injured.
