The president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Friday issued a shoot-to-kill order against protesters threatening his authoritarian government’s survival.
In a televised address, Tokayev said “I have given orders to the security forces and the army to open fire without warning.’’
He had been rejecting international calls for dialogue, describing it as “stupidity”, adding “what kind of negotiations can there be with criminals and murderers?”
The president was demanding “anti-terrorist operations” continues until the “fighters are completely wiped out
Tokayev claimed that some 20,000 “bandits” had rioted in the country’s biggest city Almaty, and suggested without giving any details that the unrest had been directed from abroad.
State television had reported that 26 demonstrators had been killed and more than 3,700 arrested since the unrest began, while officials put the death toll for the security forces at 18.
Meanwhile, independent news channels showed footage of smoke rising from buildings in Almaty and reported the sound of gunfire, suggesting that the unrest is continuing in spite the government’s claim to have regained control.
The arrival of Russian troops in the country appears to have given the Kazakh authorities significant relief.
However, Moscow had announced that Almaty airport was once again “under full control” after anti-government protesters occupied it earlier this week.
Russia’s troop deployment came in response to a request to the Russian-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organisation from Tokayev asking for help in putting down the anti-government demonstrations, which were sparked by soaring fuel prices.
The Chinese government appeared to shift its position on Friday when it voiced its support for the Russian-led military intervention.
Foreign Office spokesperson, Wang Wenbin told the press in Beijing that China supports all efforts that help the Kazakhstan authorities to end the chaos as soon as possible.
Wenbin added that China firmly opposed external forces deliberately creating social unrest to incite violence. Just a day earlier Wang had called the unrest in its western neighbour an “internal affair.”
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city and economic hub, has now seen days of rioting, including the torching of government buildings and mass looting. Armed demonstrators are also believed to be holed up in a television station in the city.
The country’s internet has been cut, its borders have been sealed and information cannot be easily verified in most cases.
Turkish Airlines has confirmed to dpa that it has suspended its flights to Kazakhstan until Sunday, citing the continued unrest.
