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The former head of Kazakhstan’s counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism was arrested today on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, following violent protests for which the president blamed “foreign-backed terrorists.”
The arrest of Karim Masimov was announced today by the National Security Committee, the body he headed until a week ago before being fired by President Tokayev.
Authorities say security forces killed 26 demonstrators during this week’s protests, in which 18 police officers were also killed. The interior ministry says more than 4,000 people have been arrested.
The unrest in the country started with the increase of the price of liquefied gas which is widely used as fuel for vehicles in the country.
Kazakhstan is a major energy exporter.
At Tokayev’s request, the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization sent about 3,000 troops to Kazakhstan, mostly Russians, as peacekeepers, according to the organization.
Yesterday Tokayev said he had authorized security forces to shoot to kill those taking part in the protests.
Police distributed a protest and arrested several people in Aktau, while gunshots were heard in Kyzylorda, according to the Russian Sputnik Agency.
Although the protests began with the doubling of the price of gas, their widespread spread and violence reflected widespread discontent in the former Soviet-led republic of the same party for more than 30 years.
Many of the demonstrators chanted “Leave the old man,” referring to Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has been president since Kazakhstan’s independence until his resignation in 2019 when he left Tokayev as his successor.
Nazarbayev, who has been dubbed the “ebasi,” or national leader, retained power as chairman of the National Security Committee until his dismissal this week, ostensibly to appease protesters.
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