Longtime leader out as head of Kazakhstan's ruling party
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.
wftv.comEXPLAINER: What post-unrest reforms is Kazakhstan proposing?
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.
wftv.comKazakh defense minister fired; last Russia-led troops leave
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan raises death toll to 225 in days of protests
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan activists recall path from protest to bloodshed
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan: Russia-led alliance's troops prepare to pull out
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan: Russia-led alliance's troops prepare to pull out
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.
wftv.comAfter Kazakhstan unrest, relatives await detainees' release
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.
wftv.comAfter Kazakhstan unrest, relatives await detainees' release
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.
wftv.comKazakh leader: Russia-led security group to pull out troops
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.
wftv.comKazakh leader: Russia-led security group to pull out troops
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.
wftv.comNearly 8,000 detained in Kazakhstan amid unrest
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan says 164 killed in week of protests
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan says 5,800 detained in week of protests
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan adds uncertainty to talks with Russia on Ukraine
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan adds uncertainty to talks with Russia on 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.
news.yahoo.comFormer anti-terror chief arrested over Kazakhstan protests
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.
wftv.comWhy Putin Just Raised a Massive Army Back From the Dead
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
news.yahoo.comEXPLAINER: Kazakhstan seeks Russia-led security group's help
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.
wftv.comKazakh president: Forces can shoot to kill to quell unrest
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.
wftv.comKazakh leader ordered use of lethal force on 'terrorists'
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan leader: Constitutional order restored amid unrest
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.
wftv.comKazakhstan leader: Constitutional order restored amid unrest
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.
wftv.comRussia sends troops into Kazakhstan as clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters turn deadly
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.
cbsnews.comDozens of protesters killed in Kazakhstan; 12 police dead
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.
wftv.comEXPLAINER: What's behind unrest rocking oil-rich 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.
wftv.comRussia-led alliance sending peacekeepers to Kazakhstan
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.
wftv.comPutin’s Next Door Nightmare Just Came True Right Under His Nose
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
news.yahoo.comProtests escalate in Kazakhstan; president's home set ablaze
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.
wftv.comRussia-led alliance sending peacekeepers to Kazakhstan
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.