Kazakhstan unrest: Nearly 225 people killed, over 4500 injured during violent protests

Amid violent protests that erupted on January 2 and spre across Kazakhstan, nearly 225 people have lost ir lives, furr leaving several or injured, according to chief of criminal prosecution service at Prosecutor General's Office. During a news conference, Serik Shalabayev informed, “Bodies of 225 deceased people were brought to morgues... re were 19 police and service personnel among m," ANI reported.  

Following nearly two weeks of violent demonstrations, 4,578 individuals have been identified as victims, according to official. re are 4,353 individuals injured, with 3,393 of m being security personnel. Furr, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged nation's National Security Council to expedite work to form a Special Operations Force following weeks of demonstrations and instability in country, Sputnik reported.  

Nearly 12,000 people have been arrested during protests

In dition to this, approximately 12,000 people have been arrested as a result of demonstrations. Many people took to streets to protest against government's rise in petrol prices. Friends and families of those held by police authorities waited for ir fate outside prison, according to Associated Press. 

Furrmore, detainees’ families and acquaintances have also visited morgues, in order to find out if y have lost someone, in people who were killed during conflict. requests of families or attorneys to meet individuals in custody h been denied by authorities. Moreover, officials have provided scant information on those who have been detained.  

Kazakhstan civilian unrest

situation escalated as thousands of people from cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau h responded angrily to a two-fold rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, which sparked huge protests in Kazakhstan. Later, demonstrations expanded to or towns, including Almaty, where looting broke out, militants stormed government buildings, and firearms were confiscated. 

As circumstances deteriorated, Kazakhstan's government declared a state of emergency throughout nation until January 19 and launched a counter-terrorism operation. Kazakhstan President Tokayev also dissolved cabinet and seized command of nation's security Council on January 5.  President Tokayev declared during first Security Council meeting under his leership that he h requested assistance from Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in combating " terrorist threat." In an attempt to re-establish rmalcy in Kazakhstan, CSTO member sent Collective Peacekeeping Forces to nation. 

(Im: AP)