Unusual demonstrations in Kazakhstan due to rising fuel prices, the president declared a state of emergency

Reuters

05/01/2022

Wednesday, 05 January 2022, 09:03 Updated: 09:05

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Riots in protest of rising natural gas prices in Almaty, Kazakhstan, January 5, 2022 (Photo: Reuters)

Kazakh President-President Kasim-Jumert Tokyev last night (Wednesday) declared a state of emergency in several areas of the country following unusual demonstrations that have been going on since Sunday in protest of rising fuel prices.

He accepted the government's resignation and ordered the restoration of control over natural gas prices and their expansion into fuel, diesel and other "socially important" consumer products.

Yesterday evening, police fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of protesters in the main square in the city of Almaty, which was once the largest in the former Soviet republic, and clashes continued in nearby areas.

Authorities said close to a hundred policemen were injured in the clashes and that close to 200 people were arrested after attacking government officials in several cities.

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