“I am retired and currently enjoying a well-deserved rest in the capital of Kazakhstan,” said Nazarbayev, who appeared in a video for the first time since the unrest. He assured that his successor Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to whom he handed over the presidency in 2019, “has all the powers in his hands”. “So there is no conflict or confrontation within the elite,” he added, referring to “unsubstantiated rumours” in this area. He also said of the deadly riots that the intent of the protesters was to “destroy the integrity of the country and the foundations of the state”. “This tragedy is a lesson for all of us. It is important to find out who organized all these pogroms and murders,” it concluded.
The rioters’ anger has been directed, among other things, at Nazarbayev, who is accused of promoting corruption in the country he has led for nearly three decades. After stepping down as president in 2019, Nazarbayev has retained an influential role in politics and continued to head the powerful Security Council, but since the riots, his successor has bolstered his own influence. Several of the former leader’s confidants have been banned from important posts and at least one has been jailed.
Tokaev has nevertheless stated that the riots were the result of terrorist aggression from abroad, without providing evidence.