KASSYM-JOMART TOKAYEV

For all the talk of a diplomatic boycott, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has managed to attract a globe-spanning roster of presidents, royals and other dignitaries to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

MOSCOW — (AP) — Kazakhstan’s ruling party on Friday chose the country’s president as its new leader in a move that further reduces the influence of former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who dominated the country’s politics for decades. The election of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to lead the Nur-Otan party comes in the wake of violent demonstrations in January in which more than 220 people died and government buildings were set on fire. Nazarbayev, who had led Kazakhstan since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, resigned as president in 2019 but retained enormous influence as head of both Nur-Otan and the country’s national security council. Tokayev replaced him as security council head during the unrest, in which many demonstrators chanted “old man out,” referring to the 81-year-old former president. Nazarbayev in November had announced he would resign as the party’s head; Tokayev’s election to replace him took place at a party congress.

Kazakhstan Economic Reforms Explainer FILE - In this image taken from video released by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Service, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev speaks during his televised statement to the nation in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 7, 2022. Kazakhstan's leader has trumpeted ambitious economic reforms following the worst unrest in the country of 19 million in three decades. WHY WERE GAS PRICES SUCH A SORE POINT? They agree that gas prices (all over the world) grow, but in that case (they say) that ‘our salaries should too,'" Burnashev said. Discontent among ordinary people goes way beyond gas prices.

The leader of Kazakhstan has trumpeted ambitious economic reforms following the worst outburst of public unrest the country of 19 million has seen in three decades.

Russia's defense ministry says the troops that were deployed to Kazakhstan as violent demonstrations shook the country have returned home. The troops were part of a force sent as peacekeepers by the Collective Treaty Security Organization, a Russia-led alliance of six former Soviet states. The CSTO approved the force of more than 2,000 on Jan. 5 at the request of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) (Uncredited)MOSCOW — (AP) — The Russian Defense Ministry says all the troops deployed to Kazakhstan by a Russia-led security alliance this month to help quell violent unrest have left the former Soviet nation, with the last four military planes landing outside Moscow on Wednesday. The Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of six ex-Soviet states, deployed over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan two weeks ago at the request of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The Russian Defense Ministry says all the troops deployed to Kazakhstan by a Russia-led security alliance to help quell violent unrest have left the former Soviet nation.

Kazakhstan’s influential former leader has released a short video in which he talked about the violent unrest that engulfed the ex-Soviet nation earlier this month.

In light of unprecedented mass protests that quickly grew violent, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week, and on Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission largely complete. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) (Uncredited)MOSCOW — (AP) — A top law-enforcement official in Kazakhstan said Saturday that 225 people died during the violent demonstrations that shook the country this month, a significantly higher number than previously announced. At the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization sent a force of more than 2,000 soldiers, mostly Russians, to act as peacekeepers. The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that its troops had returned home, but it was unclear if forces from other alliance countries remained in Kazakhstan.

A top law-enforcement official in Kazakhstan says 225 people died during the violent demonstrations that shook the country this month, a significantly higher number than previously announced.

Kazakhstan Protesters FILE - Riot police prepare to block protesters in the center of Almaty, Kazakhstan, Jan. 5, 2022. At demonstrations in the largest city of Almaty, protesters say groups of armed men reportedly joined the peaceful rallies and urged them to storm police stations and government buildings. Clashes with police soon broke out, and by the night of Jan. 5, Almaty was in chaos. Protesters, however, say their rallies were somehow undermined, leading to the crackdown by security forces. On Jan. 6, security forces opened fire and killed dozens of protesters.

The mass protests in Kazakhstan that began over New Year's weekend because of high fuel prices were peaceful at first, but then something changed.

Kazakhstan Protests A Russian officer of the Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeepers attends the official ceremony of starting withdraw its troops in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week, and on Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission largely complete. (Vladimir Tretyakov/NUR.KZ via AP) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — Troops belonging to a Russia-led security alliance were preparing to pull out of Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week. Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the troops in Kazakhstan were preparing equipment for transportation and handing over state institutions they guarded to local forces.

Kazakhstan Protests A Russian officer of the Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeepers attends the official ceremony of starting withdraw its troops in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. In light of unprecedented mass protests that quickly grew violent, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week, and on Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission largely complete. (Vladimir Tretyakov/NUR.KZ via AP) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — Troops of a Russia-led security alliance were preparing to pull out of Kazakhstan on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the troops in Kazakhstan were preparing equipment for transportation and handing over state institutions they guarded to local forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry says troops that are part of a Russia-led security alliance are preparing to pull out of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan Protests Police block the road to control the traffic in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo) (Uncredited)ALMATY, Kazakhstan — (AP) — With about 12,000 people arrested after anti-government protests in Kazakhstan last week, friends and relatives of those held by police waited outside a jail Wednesday, hoping to learn their fate. Authorities have refused to allow relatives or lawyers to see those in custody, giving little information about them, according to human rights activists. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev blamed the unrest on foreign-backed “terrorists,” but did not provide any evidence, and had given shoot-to-kill orders to security forces to quell the unrest. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan, and Tokayev said the troops will start withdrawing Thursday.

Kazakhstan Protests Police block the road to control the traffic in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo) (Uncredited)ALMATY, Kazakhstan — (AP) — With about 12,000 people arrested after anti-government protests in Kazakhstan last week, friends and relatives of those held by police waited outside a jail Wednesday, hoping to learn their fate. Authorities have refused to allow relatives or lawyers to see those in custody, giving little information about them, according to human rights activists. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev blamed the unrest on foreign-backed “terrorists,” but did not provide any evidence, and had given shoot-to-kill orders to security forces to quell the unrest. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan, and Tokayev said the troops will start withdrawing Thursday.

With life in Kazakhstan's largest city starting to return to normal after anti-government protests turned violent, relatives of the thousands arrested in the unrest are seeking to learn the fate of their loved ones.

The relatively new leader of the former Soviet Republic appears to have cemented his rule, quickly putting down a challenge from its people, with help from Moscow.

Kazakhstan Protests In this handout photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeepers guard an area in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The president of Kazakhstan has announced that a Russia-led security alliance will start pulling out its troops from the country in two days after completing its mission. The mostly Russian troops were deployed to Kazakhstan last week by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of six former Soviet states, at the president's request amid unprecedented public unrest. “When this decision was being made, we could have completely lost control over Almaty, which was being torn apart by terrorists. Had we lost Almaty, we would have lost the capital and the entire country,” Tokayev told Kazakhstan's parliament Tuesday.

At least 164 people have died and some 9,900 were detained during the recent upheaval in the Central Asian country.

APTOPIX Kazakhstan Protests A shop worker walks through a looted shop during unrest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (AP Photo) (Uncredited)MOSCOW — (AP) — The president of Kazakhstan announced Tuesday that a Russia-led security alliance will start pulling out its troops from the country in two days after completing its mission. “When this decision was being made, we could have completely lost control over Almaty, which was being torn apart by terrorists. Had we lost Almaty, we would have lost the capital and the entire country,” Tokayev told Kazakhstan's parliament Tuesday. Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry on Tuesday reported that a total of 9,900 people were detained in the country over the unrest.

The president of Kazakhstan has announced that a Russia-led security alliance will start pulling out its troops from the Central Asian country in two days after completing its mission.

Kazakhstan Protests Vendors clean up their store that was broken into and looted during clashes in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported that a total of 7,939 people have been detained across the country. As the unrest mounted, the ministerial cabinet resigned and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev replaced Nursultan Nazarbayev, former longtime leader of Kazakhstan, as head of the National Security Council. Nazarbayev had retained substantial power at the helm of the National Security Council. The National Security Committee said Monday that “hotspots of terrorist threats” in the country have been “neutralized.”Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Authorities in Kazakhstan say nearly 8,000 people were detained by police during protests that descended into violence last week and marked the worst unrest the former Soviet nation has faced since gaining independence 30 years ago.

Kazakhstan Protests A body of victim covered by a banner, right, lays near to a military truck, which was burned after clashes, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. The Central Asian nation this week experienced its worst street protests since gaining independence from the Soviet Union three decades ago, and dozens have been killed in the tumult. (AP Photo/Vladimir Tretyakov/NUR.KZ via AP) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — Kazakhstan's health ministry says 164 people have been killed in protests that have rocked the country over the past week. The National Security Committee, a successor to the Soviet-era KGB, is responsible for counterintelligence, the border guards service and anti-terror activities. Authorities say security forces killed 26 demonstrators in this week’s unrest and that 16 law-enforcement officers died.

Kazakhstan Protests A body of victim covered by a banner, right, lays near to a military truck, which was burned after clashes, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. The Central Asian nation this week experienced its worst street protests since gaining independence from the Soviet Union three decades ago, and dozens have been killed in the tumult. (AP Photo/Vladimir Tretyakov/NUR.KZ via AP) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — The office of Kazakhstan’s president said Sunday that about 5,800 people were detained by police during protests that developed into violence last week and prompted a Russia-led military alliance to send troops to the country. Almaty’s airport, which had been taken by protesters last week, remained closed but was expected to resume operating on Monday. Tokayev contends the demonstrations were ignited by “terrorists” with foreign backing, although the protests have shown no obvious leaders or organization.

Kazakhstan’s health ministry says 164 people, including a 4-year-old girl, have been killed in protests in the past week that marked the worst unrest since the former Soviet republic gained independence 30 years ago.

Kazakhstan Protests In this handout photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Belarusian peacekeepers leave a Russian military plane at an airfield in Kazakhstan, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Thousands of Russian troops have now been dispatched to Kazakhstan to help secure strategic facilities. Russian troops entered Kazakhstan on Thursday after Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invoked the help of a Russia-led military alliance. But at least 100,000 Russian troops remain in positions where they could possibly strike parts of Ukraine, the people said. In exchange for easing tensions with Ukraine, Putin wants NATO to halt membership plans for all countries, including Ukraine.

Russia’s decision to send paratroopers into Kazakhstan, where a crackdown on violent anti-government protests has left dozens dead, injects additional uncertainty into upcoming talks over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s decision to send paratroopers into Kazakhstan, where a crackdown on violent anti-government protests has left dozens dead, injects additional uncertainty into upcoming talks over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. The question is whether the unrest in Kazakhstan has changed the calculations of Russian President Vladimir Putin as he weighs his options in Ukraine. The instability in Kazakhstan may even add new urgency to Putin's desire to shore up Russia's power in the region.

Karim Masimov has been arrested on charges of attempting to overthrow the government following violent protests that the president has blamed on foreign-backed terrorists.

A New Year's Day doubling of gas prices sent shock waves through the country, sparking deadly unrest that has engulfed the Central Asian nation. But the origins of discontent run much deeper.

Kazakhstan Protests A car, which was burned after clashes, is seen on a street in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Kazakhstan's president authorized security forces on Friday to shoot to kill those participating in unrest, opening the door for a dramatic escalation in a crackdown on anti-government protests that have turned violent. The Central Asian nation this week experienced its worst street protests since gaining independence from the Soviet Union three decades ago, and dozens have been killed in the tumult. (AP Photo/Vasily Krestyaninov) (Vasily Krestyaninov)MOSCOW — (AP) — The former head of Kazakhstan’s counterintelligence and anti-terror agency has been arrested on charges of attempted government overthrow in the wake of violent protests that the president has blamed on foreign-backed terrorists. The protests in the Central Asian nation were the most widespread since Kazakhstan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The former head of Kazakhstan's counterintelligence and anti-terror agency has been arrested on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

On Friday, Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported that security forces have killed 26 protesters during the unrest, which escalated on Wednesday.

Here are some of the images of the unrest this week in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, where the authoritarian government is fighting to quash large public protests.

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/GettyMOSCOW—The sixth day of violent unrest devolved into a massacre on the streets of Kazakhstan’s capital city of Almaty, with dozens of protesters and at least 13 law enforcement officials killed, as well as hundreds more wounded.President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev—who just a week ago was considered a weak shadow of Kazakhstan’s now-ousted Security Council Chairman Narsultan Nazarbayev—admitted he was the one who had given local security forces the order “to

A Russia-led military alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said early Thursday that it would send peacekeeper troops to Kazakhstan at the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The mission in Kazakhstan will be led by Andrei Serdyukov, 59, the overall commander of Russian Airborne Troops. The sight of Russian troops patrolling the streets of their country will provoke deeply ambivalent feelings among Kazakhs. The official position is that Kazakhstan only has to say the word and CSTO troops will leave. Russian troops have already been deployed at the airport in Almaty, where the most serious unrest has occurred.

As Kazakhstan struggles to cope with an increasingly violent uprising this week, it has turned for help to a Russian-led security bloc, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Unprecedented protests in the former Soviet Republic challenged its authoritarian regime. Now the leader is thanking Russia for help, and vowing instigators will be "destroyed."

Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan Protests Protesters talk to each other as they gather in support of Kazakh opposition and against deploying Kyrgyzstan's troops to Kazakhstan during a rally in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin) (Vladimir Voronin)MOSCOW — (AP) — Kazakhstan’s president authorized security forces on Friday to shoot to kill those participating in unrest whom he called “terrorists,” opening the door for a dramatic escalation in a crackdown on anti-government protests that have turned violent. “I have given the order to law enforcement and the army to shoot to kill without warning,” Tokayev said. Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported Friday that security forces have killed 26 protesters during the unrest, which escalated sharply on Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear whether the foreign troops deployed thus far were at all involved in suppressing the unrest.

Speaking in a televised address, the Kazakh president said those who failed to surrender would be "destroyed."

APTOPIX Kazakhstan Protests A man takes a photo of windows of a police kiosk damaged by demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. In a televised address to the nation, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev blamed the unrest on “terrorists” and “militants” and said that he had authorized the use of lethal force against them. A total of 18 law enforcement officers were reported killed as well, and over 700 sustained injuries. Protests have turned extremely violent, with government buildings set ablaze and scores of protesters and more than a dozen law enforcement officers killed. Kazakh officials have insisted that the troops will not be fighting the demonstrators, and instead will take on guarding government institutions.

The president of Kazakhstan on Friday declared that constitutional order was "mainly restored" but "terrorists are still using weapons and are damaging people's property" and would be dealt with.

APTOPIX Kazakhstan Protests A man takes a photo of windows of a police kiosk damaged by demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Vladimir Tretyakov) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — The president of Kazakhstan on Friday declared that constitutional order was “mainly restored” after the country was engulfed in unprecedented unrest in recent days. Constitutional order has been mainly restored in all regions of the country. Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests since the country gained independence three decades ago. The alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, includes the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and has started deploying troops to Kazakhstan for a peacekeeping mission.

Kazakhstan Protests In this image taken from footage provided by the RU-RTR Russian television, Russian peacekeepers exit a Russian military plane in an airport in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. A Russia-led military alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said early Thursday that it would send peacekeeper troops to Kazakhstan at the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. (RU-RTR Russian Television via AP) (Uncredited)MOSCOW — (AP) — The president of Kazakhstan on Friday declared that constitutional order was “mainly restored” after the country was engulfed in unprecedented unrest in recent days. Constitutional order has been mainly restored in all regions of the country. Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests since the country gained independence three decades ago.

Kazakhstan’s president has authorized security forces to shoot to kill those participating in unrest.

The second-biggest country for bitcoin mining lost its internet access, taking as much as 15% of the network offline.

Tension between Russia and the West was already sky-high over Ukraine. Now Putin's being forced to divide his attention with yet another crisis growing in a former Soviet Republic.

Kazakhstan Protests Riot police walk to block demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Vladimir Tretyakov) (Vladimir Tretyakov)MOSCOW — (AP) — Dozens of protesters were killed in Kazakhstan in attacks on government buildings and at least a dozen police officers died, including one who was found beheaded, authorities said Thursday. There were attempts to storm buildings overnight in the country's largest city, Almaty, and “dozens of attackers were liquidated,” police spokeswoman Saltanat Azirbek said. Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests the country has seen since gaining independence three decades ago. Kazakhstan has been rocked by intensifying protests that began on Sunday over a sharp rise in prices for liquefied petroleum gas fuel.

Police spokeswoman Saltanat Azirbek says there were attempts to storm buildings in Almaty overnight and that "dozens of attackers were liquidated."

Authorities say security forces have killed dozens of protesters and 12 police have died during extraordinarily violent demonstrations in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan Protests Smoke rises from the city hall building during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Yan Blagov) (Yan Blagov)MOSCOW — (AP) — Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests the country has seen since gaining independence three decades ago. The country sells most of its oil exports to China and is a key strategic ally of Moscow. Residents in nearby cities quickly joined in and within days large protests had spread to the rest of the country. Still, because the street protests are so lacking in focus, at least for now, it's difficult to see how they might end.

Kazakhstan is experiencing the fiercest street protests since the oil-rich Central Asian nation gained independence three decades ago.

APTOPIX Kazakhstan Protests Riot police walk to block demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Police reportedly fired on some protesters at the residence in Almaty before fleeing. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Moscow-based alliance of six former Soviet countries, for assistance. Hours later, the CSTO's council approved sending an unspecified number of peacekeepers, said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the council's chairman. Police fled from the residence after shooting at demonstrators, according to the report, which was filed from Kazakhstan.

ABDUAZIZ MADYAROVMOSCOW—The unprecedented protests sweeping Russia’s neighboring country of Kazakhstan entered their fourth day on Wednesday with violence, a declaration of a nationwide state of emergency, and the resignation of the government.As the country’s rich elite took off in their private jets, the “revolution”—sparked in part by hiked up fuel prices—showed no signs of slowing down. Protesters have set administrative buildings on fire in several big cities across the country, disarmed co

APTOPIX Kazakhstan Protests Riot police walk to block demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Demonstrators denouncing the doubling of prices for liquefied gas have clashed with police in Kazakhstan's largest city and held protests in about a dozen other cities in the country. Police reportedly fired on some protesters at the residence in Almaty before fleeing. They have clashed repeatedly with demonstrators in recent days, deploying water cannons in the freezing weather, and firing tear gas and concussion grenades. Police fled from the residence after shooting at demonstrators, according to the report, which was filed from Kazakhstan.

The unprecedented show of public outrage has left scores of people injured and led to the de-facto resignation of one of the longest serving rulers of a former Soviet Republic.

A Russia-led military alliance says it will dispatch peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan after the country’s president asked for help in controlling protests that have escalated into violence, including the seizure and setting afire of some government buildings.