Update on the developments in Kazakhstan, as of January 6, 2022

On January 6, 2022, Kassym-Jomart Tokaev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held a Meeting of the Security Council to discuss the issue of combating terroristic and criminal groups attempting to destabilize the situation in Kazakhstan.

Underlining the complexity of the ongoing situation, the President pointed out the need for a number of urgent measures. He called the forces, carrying out the attack on Kazakhstan the terrorists, who seize infrastructure buildings, and most importantly, the premises where automatic small arms are stored.

Hundreds of people who ensure law and order, and the health of the population: law enforcement officers, doctors, as well as ordinary residents, including the elderly, suffered from the violent crowd. Three hundred fifty eight police officers and members of the National Guard were injured; twelve were murdered.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan called it the undermining of the state integrity. The attack on our citizens is the most aggravating.

The President said that these terrorist gangs are, in fact, international, who have undergone special training abroad. Therefore, the attack on Kazakhstan should be viewed as an act of aggression.

In this regard, to conduct a counter-terrorist operation, starting from January 5, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced the state of emergency on the entire territory of Kazakhstan.

The Government is working on following urgent measures:

• Creation of the Investigation Task Force from among the representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Committee of National Security, and defence and law enforcement agencies to identify the causes of the events, identify and bring all perpetrators to criminal and administrative responsibility.
• The Armed Forces, the National Security Committee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, other defence and law enforcement agencies - will carry out measures to increase combat readiness and equipment.
• Akimats (Mayors’ and Governors’ offices) of the regions will provide necessary support to the families of the killed police officers and the Armed Forces.
• Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will organize a direct hotline via “1414” to provide citizens with information about victims and missing persons.
• Creation of the commissions to estimate the damage caused by the riots; to start working on the restoration of administrative and residential buildings, social facilities in Almaty and other regions after the situation stabilizes.
• Mayors and Governors of the regions and the cities - to consolidate and normalize the function of public utilities, public transportation and social infrastructure facilities.
• Provision of state support to SME’s in the city of Almaty and the regions that were hit by riots.
• The National Bank and the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market - to ensure stable and uninterrupted operation of second-tier banks and financial institutions after the situation stabilizes.
• To take measures to protect diplomatic missions, foreign investment and business entities of foreign companies.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to ensure the maintenance of permanent contact with foreign nations, international organizations and partners of the Republic of Kazakhstan on bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan appealed to the heads of states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization to assist Kazakhstan in overcoming the terrorist threat.

At 12.00 CET, January 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan is to hold a meeting with the ambassadors and envoys of the European nations, accredited in Kazakhstan, to update on the situation in the country.