President of Kazakhstan Tokayev introduced a state of emergency in Mangistau and Alma-Ata regions

Tokayev also blamed the protests on Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakhgaz and KazMunayGas companies. Law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have already detained the director of a gas processing plant in the city of Zhanaozen. Nakbergen Tulepov is accused of raising selling gas prices for no reason.

To stabilize the situation, Tokayev instructed the government commission to take a number of urgent measures. The prices for liquefied gas, petrol and diesel will be regulated by the state for 180 days. In addition, price regulation is introduced for socially significant food products, decisions will be made by regional akims.

Tokayev said that it is necessary to develop a law bankruptcy of individuals “, it is possible that a moratorium will be introduced on increasing utility rates for the population for 180 days (” the need “should be” considered “, according to a statement on the president’s website). They may also consider the issue of subsidizing rent for secondary housing for socially vulnerable segments of the population of Kazakhstan. Finally, Tokayev instructed to create a public fund to solve the problems of health care and children. to stabilize and rectify the situation with protests. According to Tokayev, this happened after the introduction of the state of emergency.

On January 4, the president introduced a state of emergency in the Alma-Ata and Mangistau regions. It entered into force on January 5 from 01:30 am for a period until 00:00 hours on January 19, 2022. As reported “ Sputnik Kazakhstan “, Tokayev stated that he

hopes for “the manifestation of the prudence of citizens.” In addition, the head of the republic urged not to succumb to “provocations from within and from without, the euphoria of rallies and permissiveness.”

The emergency regime imposes restrictions on freedom of movement, prohibits the organization and conduct of peaceful meetings, any mass events, as well as celebrating the birth of children, weddings, and funeral. Strikes at enterprises are also prohibited. social security.

In Kazakhstan, protests began on January 2 in the city of Zhanaozen, Mangistau Oblast (formerly New Uzen, Mangyshlak Oblast – Gazeta.Ru) after a price increase for liter of liquefied gas up to 120 tenge (about 21 rubles). Before that, the price for a liter of gas was 60 tenge. Two days later, clashes between protesters and the police and the military began in Almaty and a number of other cities. Clashes also took place in Aktobe, Taraz, Aktau and other settlements. … In response, the crowd was fired at with tear gas grenades, stun cartridges and possibly rubber bullets. Military armored personnel carriers were introduced, which at some point turned around under the onslaught of protesters.

By the morning of January 5, Republic Square in Almaty, where the clashes took place, was fenced off by armored vehicles. Mobile Internet does not work in the city, Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal messengers are blocked. At the time of the state of emergency, the Alma-Ata commandant’s office was created, it was headed by the chief of police Kanat Timemerdenov.

On Wednesday morning, protests continued in a number of cities of the republic.