As of the morning of January 5, about 6,000 protesters remained on the streets of Almaty, Radio Azattyk reports. The clashes began after protesters tried to pass through the yards on Baitursynova Street. Therefore, the police used against protesters of special equipment, in particular, lightweight grenades.

According to the Almaty Department of Health, 190 people sought medical help as a result of the clashes, 40 injured were hospitalized, 7 of them in intensive care, including four police officers. A total of 137 security officers and 53 civilians were injured.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, as of January 5, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into 13 cases of violence against government officials, hooliganism and attacks on government buildings. More than 200 people were detained for violating public order.

At the same time, the city authorities of Almaty called the actions of security forces measures "to stabilize the situation and ensure the rule of law".

Where it all began

The rallies began on the evening of January 1 after the price of liquefied gas rose from 60 tenge to 120 tenge per liter (UAH 7.53) due to the abolition of price regulation. Protests began, in particular, in the cities of Zhanaozen, Kuryk and Akshukuri. Most people gathered in the city of Aktau - the administrative center of the western Mangistau region: on January 3, according to Radio Azattyk, there were about six thousand people. Demonstrations also covered the cities of Nur-Sultan, Uralsk, Aktobe, Taraz, Shymkent, Kokshetau.

If at first the protesters demanded only a reduction in gas prices, then their demands have expanded: they also want to eradicate corruption and nepotism, build factories and plants and reduce unemployment.

Protesters chanted "Government resigns!" In the main square of Aktau. and "Shawl, cat!" ("Old man, go away!"). This slogan is used during rallies demanding that former President Nursultan Nazarbayev resign from politics.

The resignation of the government and lower gas prices

Amid mass protests, Prime Minister Askar Mamin has resigned. She was received by President Kasim-Jomart Tokayeva. By law, the entire government was dismissed along with the prime minister.

The President of Kazakhstan Tokayev stated that the government is responsible for the mass protests over the increase in gas prices.

In addition, on January 4, the president announced a reduction in gas prices to 50 tenge.

"Within the limits of the powers given to him, in order to ensure the country's stability, the government has decided to reduce the price of liquefied gas in the Mangistau region to 50 tenge per liter", - Tokayev wrote.

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