Kazakh President "Approved Shooting Without Warning at Protesters... Cannot Negotiate with Murderers"

Kazakhstani Troops Deployed at Protest Site Against Soaring Prices
(Almaty, Reuters = Yonhap News) On the 6th (local time), soldiers were deployed in the central square of Almaty, the economic hub of Kazakhstan, where a state of emergency was declared due to protests against soaring prices. Burned-out vehicles from the protest are scattered in front of the soldiers on guard. The previous day, intense protests against the sharp rise in prices of key items such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) took place here, reportedly resulting in the deaths of eight riot police officers. January 6, 2022
sungok@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, stated that he has "authorized firing without warning" in response to the anti-government protests continuing for the sixth day.

According to major foreign media on the 7th (local time), President Tokayev said in a TV address, "We cannot negotiate with criminals and murderers," adding, "I have authorized the military and others suppressing the protests to fire without warning." He also claimed that about 20,000 protesters participated in the attacks in Almaty, where the protests recently intensified. He referred to the protesters as "terrorists."

Kazakh President Tokayev Voting... Victory in Presidential Election Assured

(Nursultan AP=Yonhap News) Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, is voting in the early presidential election held on the 9th (local time) in the capital Nursultan. Foreign media reported that exit polls from the election conducted that day showed President Tokayev receiving 70.13% of the vote, making his victory certain.
ymarshal@yna.co.kr

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In Kazakhstan, anti-government protests broke out on the 2nd of this month following a sharp rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices. Since then, the protests have escalated, leading to widespread bloodshed across the country.

In response, the Kazakh government declared a state of emergency. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a security alliance of former Soviet states, deployed peacekeeping forces including Russian airborne troops to Kazakhstan.

On this day, Kazakhstan's state broadcaster reported that 26 protesters have died and more than 3,000 have been arrested so far due to the unrest. Additionally, at least 18 security personnel involved in suppressing the protests have lost their lives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.