A total of 164 people were killed during the unrest that rocked Kazakhstan last week, according to figures released by the health ministry and broadcast by state media.
This report, which can not be verified by independent sources, is very high. Authorities have so far announced the deaths of 26 protesters and 16 members of the security forces.
More than 2,200 people have been injured in the crackdown by security forces.
According to state television, 103 people, including two children, were killed in Almaty alone, the country’s largest city.
It is not clear how many of the dead were civilians. Earlier in the day, authorities said more than 40 people had been killed, including at least 16 police officers and soldiers.
The protests began a week ago as a protest against rising fuel prices, before turning into a wider protest against the government. This is the deadliest outbreak of violence in the 30 years of Kazakhstan’s independence.
The Kazakh authorities announced today that they have stabilized the situation throughout the country, while troops from a military alliance under Russia are guarding “strategic facilities”.
Security and intelligence officials have told President Kasim-Yomart Tokayev that they are continuing “clearing operations” in what he called a massive counterterrorism operation across the oil-rich former Soviet republic bordering Russia.
Dozens of people were killed, thousands were arrested and public buildings were set on fire last week. Tokayev ordered security forces to open fire without warning to end the unrest, which he blamed on gangs and terrorists.
At Tokayev’s invitation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) under Russia sent troops to restore order.
“A number of strategically important facilities have been placed under the protection of the United Nations peacekeeping force in the CSTO,” said a statement issued by the presidential office on a security briefing chaired by Tokayev.
The statement does not specify what these strategically important facilities are.
“The situation has stabilized in all parts of the country,” the statement said, adding that law enforcement had regained control of administrative buildings and vital services had been restored.
Pope Francis today expressed his “sorrow” for the victims of the unrest in Kazakhstan and called for a “dialogue” to restore peace in the largest country in Central Asia.
“I was informed with pain that there were casualties during the demonstrations that took place in recent days in Kazakhstan. “I pray for them and for their family members,” said the pope during the traditional weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“I hope we return to social peace as soon as possible through the pursuit of dialogue, social justice and the common good,” he added.
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