Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry reports fatalities as protests continue

Protests broke out in Kazakhstan on January 2nd following a New Year’s increase in the price of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Early Wednesday, officials attempted to prevent further unrest by introducing price caps on motor fuel. Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev also announced the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Mamin.

Later in the day Wednesday, Tokayev announced a nationwide state of emergency. Tokayev blamed “financially motivated conspirators” for fueling the unrest and promised to act tough in response to the mass protests.

Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry warned that protestors who didn’t lay down their weapons would be “destroyed.” Russian troops then arrived in the country to aid the government’s efforts.

The Interior Ministry reported that at least 12 police officers had been killed, 353 people had been injured, and about 2,000 had been arrested so far. The Ministry added that 26 “armed criminals” had been “liquidated.”