Mass anti-government protests are continuing for a third day in Kazakhstan. According to media reports, more than ten thousand protesters have gathered in Aktau, capital of the Mangistau Oblast. Protesters are also demonstrating in other cities across the country
Mass strikes are now underway in the oil towns of Aktau, Atyrau and Zhanaozen. Tent cities are being set up on squares. Clashes with police have begun.
It is reported that the Kazakhstani government has acceded to the demands of the “gas” protesters and set the price of fuel for cars at 50 tenge in the Mangistau Region. The protesters in the square were also given guarantees not to be prosecuted.
The protesters made political demands: they want President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to come to the square and that convicted activist from Zhanaozen Yerzhan Elshibayev be released from the colony. The protesters gave the authorities until 23:00.
It is worth recalling that what is happening is very similar to the events in Ukraine and Belarus. One of the proofs is that the well-known telegram channel “Nexta”, which co-ordinated the protests in Belorussia in August, 2020, started to support the protesters.