Kazakh president: Forces can shoot to kill to quell unrest
Published:Friday | January 7, 2022 | 9:53 AM
MOSCOW (AP) — Kazakhstan's president authorised security forces on Friday 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.
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 leaders have 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.
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.
The numbers could not be independently verified, and it was not clear if more people may have died in the melee as the protests turned extremely violent, with people storming government buildings and setting them ablaze.
Amid the growing crackdown, Internet service has been severely disrupted and sometimes blocked, and several airports closed, including one in Almaty, the country's largest city — making it difficult to get information about what's happening inside the country.
Cell phone service has been severely disrupted as well.
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