Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid tribute to the memory of those killed during the January protests at the Cathedral Mosque of Nur-Sultan, Khazret Sultan reported. site heads of state.
“Unfortunately, this turmoil claimed the lives of many citizens. <...> 40 days have passed since the tragic events. I came to the mosque to honor the memory of the victims with a prayer,” Tokayev said after reading the memorial prayer.
How Kazakhstan has changed a month after the protests
Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2 after a sharp rise in prices for liquefied gas, which is actively used by car owners as fuel. The first demonstrations took place in the west of the country, and then spread to other cities. Political demands were added to economic demands. The rallies escalated into clashes and armed resistance to law enforcement officers.
On January 6, peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization were sent to Kazakhstan to stabilize the situation. On January 11, Tokayev announced that their mission in the country was over. He also stated that a “terrorist war” was unleashed against Kazakhstan in order to seize power.