The President of Kazakhstan said on Friday that he authorized law enforcement to open fire on terrorists and shoot to kill, a move that came after days of violent protests in the former Soviet nation.
In a televised address to the nation, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev blamed the unrest on terrorists and militants and said he had authorized the use of lethal force against them. Tokayev said those who don't surrender will be eliminated.
He blasted calls for talks with the protesters made by some other countries as nonsense. What are some of the negotiations that can be held with criminals, murderers? Tokayev said something.
After the country was engulfed in unprecedented unrest, Tokayev had declared that constitutional order was mainly restored.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, quoted by his spokespeople as saying that the local authorities are in control of the situation.
The president added that terrorists are still using weapons and are damaging people's property and that counterterrorist actions should be continued.
Since the country gained independence, Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests. The demonstrations began over a double-digit increase in prices for a type of vehicle fuel, and spread quickly across the country, reflecting wider discontent over the rule of the same party since independence.
There have been protests that have turned violent, with government buildings set ablaze and scores of protesters and more than a dozen law enforcement officers killed. Internet is shut down across the country and two airports are closed, including one in Almaty, the country's largest city.
In a concession, the government has instituted a 180 day price cap on vehicle fuel and a moratorium on utility rate increases. Tokayev has vacillated between mollifying the protesters, including accepting the resignation of his government, and promising harsh measures to quell the unrest, which he blamed on terrorist bands. In what was seen as a measure, the president has called for a Russia-led military alliance for help.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization, including the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, has begun sending troops to Kazakhstan for a peacekeeping mission.
Kazakh officials have insisted that the troops will not be fighting the demonstrators, but instead will take on guarding government institutions.
The Interior Ministry of Kazakhstan reported Friday that 26 protesters had been killed during the unrest, 18 were wounded and more than 3,000 people were arrested. A total of 18 law enforcement officers have been killed and over 700 injured, according to a report.
On Friday morning, there were still reports of skirmishes in Almaty. Russia s state news agency Tass reported that the building that was occupied by the Kazakh branch of the Mir broadcaster, funded by several former Soviet states, was on fire.
The Almaty airport seized and stormed earlier by the protesters was back under the control of Kazakh law enforcement and CSTO peacekeepers, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday. The airport will be shut until Friday evening, according to local TV station Khabar 24.
Some things started to go back to normal in other parts of the country. Access to the internet has been partially restored in the capital, Nur-Sultan, and train traffic has been resumed across Kazakhstan.
The airport in the capital is as usual, according to Khabar 24. The TV channel says airlines will resume domestic flights to the cities of Shymkent, Turkestan and Atyrau, as well as flights to Moscow and Dubai starting at 3 p.m. 4 a.m. ET Tokayev is expected to address the nation on Friday afternoon.