The President of Kazakhstan Kassym Jomart Tokayev announced this Friday that it authorized the forces of order to open fire “without prior notice” against the protesters who have caused serious disturbances in recent days, whom it described as “bandits”, if they offer resistance to the authorities.
The president justified the measure with the aim of putting an end to the protests that are shaking the country over the rise in fuel prices, but also against a regime that has ruled with a heavy hand since 1990.
“I have given the order to shoot to kill without warning” Tokayev said in a speech broadcast on television, adding that “terrorists continue to damage property and use weapons against citizens.” In his opinion, the main city of the country, Almaty, was attacked by some 20,000 men “both local and foreign”, trained and with “a clear plan.”
“From abroad there have been calls to negotiate a peaceful solution to the problem. Stupid. What kind of negotiations can there be with criminals, with murderers? We are dealing with armed and trained bandits who must be destroyed. We will do it shortly, “added the president.
Tokayev that governs since 2019 after the resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev (who continues to be the shadow power and led the country since 1990), indicated that the peacekeepers sent by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance led by Russia and made up of five other former Soviet republics, have already reached Kazakhstan and will remain in the country temporarily to help restore order.
“The enemies have not given up and continue to commit crimes or prepare them. The fight must continue until the end ”, he explained. He also urged to investigate how it was possible that the State did not notice the existence of “sleeping militant cells” that were preparing “terrorist attacks.” Tokayev thanked the leaders of China, Turkey and Uzbekistan, and especially Vladimir Putin, for their assistance during these difficult times..
This Moscow movement provoked a response in Washington, as the White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, expressed her doubts about the legality of the troop deployment, and even the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations informed the UN Security Council on the stabilization measures that are being adopted.
According to the Interior Ministry, more than 3,000 “criminals” have been arrested and 18 “armed” people have been injured.
The authorities previously recognized the death of at least 18 law enforcement officers, two of whom were found beheaded, always according to the official version
In addition, early this Friday (local time) the restoration of cable Internet access was notified, restricted since the previous day, although mobile lines are not yet available.
After the escalation of violence registered in the social protests that have taken place since the beginning of the year, motivated by the price of liquefied gas, the president Tokayev decreed a state of emergency in the capital, Nursultán, until January 19.
With information from EFE, AFP and Europa Press
Source-larepublica.pe