The government of Kazakhstan on Monday said 7,939 persons were detained during unrest across the country since early 2022.

The country’s interior ministry, as quoted on the government’s Telegram, said “a total of 7,939 persons were detained throughout the country.

“Law enforcement officers, together with members of the National Guard and Special Forces in Almaty, detained 207 people at two markets.

It also said, “five stolen cars, stolen inventory items, two units of smooth-bore and four cold weapons were seized”.

Local authorities added that over 2,700 people suspected of participating in the unrest were detained in the Kazakh city of Shymkent.

The statement of the commandant’s office in Shymkent reads “In Shymkent, 2,716 persons suspected of participating in the disturbances were detained.

“A total of 177 citizens have already been charged with administrative offenses, including 175 people arrested for 15 days and two fined.

“Administrative responsibility for violating the curfew was imposed on 33 offenders, 25 of them were arrested. In all the initiated criminal cases, 52 participants of the riots were placed in temporary detention facilities.

“Regional law enforcement officers have found several weapons and ammunition during the car inspection at the checkpoints. Over 7,000 cars have been examined.”

Mass protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2, with residents of western cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protesting against a twofold increase in the price of liquefied gas.

Last Friday, the president issued a shoot-to-kill order against protesters threatening his government’s survival.

(Sputnik/NAN)