The Kazakhstan resigned on Wednesday after protests against the rising fuel prices and political hold of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Videos throughout the country showed protesters yelling “Old man, go away!,” and gunshots were heard while public buildings were burned in the city of Almaty, Reuters reported.
The protests were triggered by a spike in fuel prices and the three-decade rule of Nazarbayev, who still has control over his party and is in charge of the Security Council. Current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was picked by Nazarbayev, Reuters noted.
“Calls to attack premises of civilian and military agencies are absolutely illegal. This is a crime and legal punishment may follow,” Tokayev said in response to the protests, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Almaty’s police chief, Kanat Taymerdenov, said in a statement 120 vehicles have been burned, 500 civilians have been injured and dozens of businesses have been destroyed.
Russia Steps In
Soon after Russia and its allies dispatched troops to help quell protests in Kazakhstan.
Dozens of anti-government protesters were killed by security forces, police said Thursday, after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered them to put down the demonstrations, which have drawn thousands. Banks were shut for the day.
Tokayev imposed a nationwide state of emergency and internet access was severed across much of the country.
The intervention marks the second major move by the Kremlin in as many years to shore up an ally facing upheaval.
In 2020, President Vladimir Putin stepped in to back Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s crackdown on popular protests, which drew sanctions from the US and its allies.