Kazakhstan President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Friday, 7 January directed security forces to open fire on the protesters threatening his government’s survival.
“I have given orders to the security forces and the army to open fire without warning,” Mr. Tokayev said, rejecting international calls for dialogue, NAN reports.
“What stupidity! What kind of negotiations can there be with criminals and murderers?’’ the president queried.
Mr. Tokayev claimed that 20,000 bandits had attacked the country’s biggest city, Almaty, where the violent unrest has been particularly fierce in recent days.
He also said the terrorists were directed from abroad, though he did not elaborate.
”We were dealing with armed and well-prepared bandits, both local and foreign. Bandits and terrorists, who should be destroyed. This will happen in the nearest time.”
On Friday morning, state television reported that 26 demonstrators had been killed and over 3,000 arrested since the unrest began.
Officials said that at least 18 members of the security forces had also lost their lives.
Tokayev thanked the “peacekeeping forces” sent by Russia and other nations from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) but said they had not taken part in any fighting.
The Russian defence ministry said Russian peacekeepers were guarding Almaty airport on Friday and other key infrastructure sites. The force totals about 2,500 personnel, the regional alliance has said.
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