Violent unrest in Kazakhstan that began with peaceful protests against rising energy prices has claimed 225 lives, authorities said on Saturday, a dramatic increase from previous official tolls.
"
During the state of emergency, the bodies of 225 people were admitted to the morgues, 19 of whom were law enforcement and military personnel
," said Serik Shalabaev, a representative of the Prosecutor General, during the meeting. a press briefing.
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Other corpses were those of "
armed bandits who took part in terrorist attacks
", he added.
"
Unfortunately, civilians have also been victims of terrorist acts
."
Kazakhstan had previously acknowledged fewer than 50 dead - 26 "
armed bandits
" and 18 security personnel - in the conflict.
Bandits and “terrorists”
Health Ministry spokesman Asel Artakshinova said more than 2,600 people had been hospitalized, with 67 of them currently in serious condition.
Kazakh authorities have blamed the acts of violence on bandits and international "
terrorists
" who they say hijacked the protests.
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Troops from the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization that intervened began to gradually withdraw from Thursday.
