by Negin Nouri
Protests in Kazakhstan, sparked by surging fuel prices, began over the weekend and have turned violent. Demonstrators are protesting against government corruption, low living standards, and poverty, among other grievances.
Twelve police officers and dozens of civilians have died while thousands have been arrested. The riots are described as “the biggest challenge yet” since the country gained its independence 30 years ago. Protesters have stormed the Almaty
International Airport and set fire to police vehicles
and government buildings.
The president of Kazakhstan, Kassam-Jomart Tokayev, has discharged his cabinet and has invited Russian troops to help ease tensions. He has called the protesters “a band of terrorists” and authorized the security forces to “fire without warning”.
The authoritarian government blocked social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Turkish Airlines has also suspended all passenger flights between Kazakhstan and Turkey after the airport was seized by protesters.
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