People protest against the increase in gas prices.
(Foto: imago images/ITAR-TASS)
Almaty In Kazakhstan, even after the resignation of the government, there were riots during protests as a result of gas price increases. In the economic metropolis of Almaty, police used tear gas on Wednesday to prevent a group of demonstrators from moving into the center of the country’s largest city despite a state of emergency. This was reported by a correspondent for the Archyde.com news agency on site.
On Tuesday evening there had already been clashes between security forces and hundreds of demonstrators in Almaty. According to the Interior Ministry, government buildings were also attacked in two cities in the south of the oil-rich Central Asian country. In total, almost 100 police officers were injured and more than 200 people were arrested.
The government lifted the cap on LPG at the turn of the year, and the price more than doubled. This initially triggered protests in the western oil region of Mangistau on Sunday, which soon spread to other cities, including southeastern Almaty.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposed a state of emergency on Almaty and Mangistau, which includes a curfew and restrictions on freedom of movement.
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He blamed “domestic and foreign provocateurs” for the violence. According to his office, he also accepted the government’s resignation. He then ordered the reintroduction of price controls on LPG. The propane-butane mixture, also known as LPG, has cost less than gasoline for years, which is why many Kazakhs run their vehicles on LPG. However, the government had described the comparatively low price as no longer acceptable.
Price limits for other goods required
Tokayev also instructed the acting government and the provincial governors to introduce price limits for gasoline, diesel and other “socially important” consumer goods. He also suggested freezing utility prices and helping poor families with rent payments.
Kazakhstan government resigns after violent protests
Almaty’s Mayor Bakychan Sagintayev said the situation in the city was under control. Security forces would arrest “provocateurs and extremists”. Ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev had not given a statement. The 81-year-old led the country from 1989 to 2019. As chairman of the Security Council, he still has immense political power.
The riots scratch the image of the ex-Soviet republic, which foreign investors regard as a politically stable and strictly controlled country. In the three decades since independence, hundreds of billions have been invested in the oil and metal industry.
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